When is the best time to go on vacation?

How vacation and money are related

The average worker receives a fixed monthly salary. Vacation can change income both up and down - it depends on when you go into it. To understand how this works, you need to understand the issue a little more thoroughly.

How vacation pay is calculated

For each day of vacation, you are paid the average earnings over the past 12 months. It is calculated using the formula:

Annual income includes bonuses, allowances, processing surcharges. But travel, vacation, sick leave and benefits are not included in the calculation. 12 here is the number of months, and 29, 3 is the average number of days in a month.

There are many nuances in calculating vacation pay, we talked about them in a separate article. In the meantime, in order not to get confused, let us dwell on this example. Let's say you worked for the previous 12 months without vacation or sick leave. At the same time, for six months you were credited with 40 thousand rubles, another six - 45 thousand. Twice you received a bonus of 10 thousand. As a result, it turns out: (6 × 40 + 6 × 45 + 2 × 10) ÷ 12 ÷ 29, 3 = 1, 5. So, for the day of vacation, including the one that falls on the weekend, you will get 1, 5 thousand rubles.

How much does one working day cost

Let's go back to the example: for the last six months you have been receiving 45 thousand rubles a month. This amount does not change depending on the length of the month. And the average income per day - yes. In January 2020 (17 working days) it will be 2, 65 thousand rubles, and in July (23) - 1, 96 thousand.

Usually, the average income per day in a particular month does not affect anything. You will still receive your entire salary. But if you miss a certain number of days due to vacation or illness, the accountant will calculate the average daily income and multiply it by the number of days worked. And already to the result obtained, he will add vacation pay or disability benefits.

How these metrics work

Let's say you decide to take 10 days of vacation. The easiest way to understand how it works is with examples:

January: 31 days, 17 workers. You take vacation from the 22nd to the 31st. At the same time, you will receive 15 thousand rubles of vacation pay per month and 23, 85 thousand for the hours worked. There are 38, 85 thousand in total - 6, 15 thousand less than the salary.
July: 31 days, 23 workers. You take vacation from the 22nd to the 31st. You get all the same 15 thousand vacation pay, but already 29, 4 thousand for working days - only 44, 4 thousand. That is, you can do with practically no losses.

This difference is explained by the fact that for one working day you receive, instead of the average income for the current month, the average earnings for the last 12 months. The situation is somewhat leveled off by vacation pay, but not critical.

How to take a vacation profitably

Choose the correct month

From the calculations above, it can be seen: the more working days in a month, the more profitable it is to have a rest at this particular time. These are usually April, July, August, fall months and December. But it is better to double-check this information for a specific year on the production calendar.

Treat the weekend correctly

There is also a nuance that affects the benefits: whether you include the weekend on vacation or not. One of its parts, according to the law, must be at least 14 days. The remainder can be split up as desired. If you take a vacation from Monday to Friday, you will have seven days off taking into account the weekend, but you will only pay five. And if in the application you indicate the days from Monday to Sunday, then they will pay for seven days already. So weigh what is more important to you: money or time.

Please note: a public holiday does not count as a holiday.

For example, if you take a vacation from November 2 to 8, then it will not be seven days of rest, but six. November 4 is an official holiday, you will not receive vacation pay for it. But you won't lose a day of vacation either.

Assess the dynamics of changes in income

The amount of vacation pay is affected by how much you received in the last 12 months. The more, the higher the payout. Let's say you were promised a bonus for completing a project. You have a choice: go on vacation now or wait for the money. From a material point of view, it is more profitable to choose the second option. The bonus will be taken into account in the calculations, and your vacation pay will be higher.

The same is true if your salary has been recently raised. It is less profitable to go on vacation immediately after this: vacation pay will be calculated taking into account your previous income level. The further you postpone your vacation, the more you get.

What to remember

It is more profitable to take a vacation in a long month without holidays.
It is better not to go on vacation on the eve of a big bonus and immediately after a salary increase.
If you are very tired, then it is better to rest: inattention to your needs does not end well.