What are your Holiday Policies? - Page 2 - Virtual Assistant Forums

Elite Virtual · #16 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011

I usually send out reminders 2 weeks in advance to clients letting them know that I won't be available during certain days leading up to or after a holiday in addition to the holiday. For instance, I'm a Christmas baby so that means that Dec 23rd thru Dec 28th I'm unavailable because it's vacation for me every year. I usually work all other holidays (part-time hours) other than New Year's Eve, Easter and Thanksgiving.

I don't mind working the way I do because I love what I do given that it allows me to go wherever I want to go and still do business. Just some holidays I have to be off completely.

StaceyH · #17 (**permalink**) 08-29-2011

I have pretty typical American holidays off. I basically formatted it after what my husband has off so we've got that long weekend for family time. I've got Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving and then for Christmas I have the 23rd-26th off.

I also state in my contract that my office is closed at those times as well as any vacation time I have lined up. I currently have listed my October vacation as well as a week off for IVAA Live in April. I feel being upfront about it works best.

DianaWFCole · #18 (**permalink**) 09-08-2011

I let my clients know that I am not available by phone. I am not checking my email regularly so do not expect me to be a quick responder,

eXPERT Business Support · #19 (**permalink**) 09-08-2011

I also think it's a really good idea to let your clients know -- whether holiday time, etc. -- if you are not going to be available either by phone or email. In my experience I have not had to work with clients over holidays, with the exception of 'overflow' transcription work I take on now and then for other transcribers or for transcription companies.

It's a good idea also to ask one or two VAs who you know and trust if they would be willing to back you up should you need to take a few days off or in a time of an emergency -- just in case you have a client who needs and/or depends entirely on you to manage his/her business.

bridiej · #20 (**permalink**) 09-09-2011

I usually give two months' notice if I'm taking time off. My usual time off is Christmas, which tends to be fairly quiet workwise anyway. At the moment I work all other public holidays.