My job is understaffed. Should I feel guilty about taking a vacation?

Johnny C Taylor Jr.

Whether it is a long weekend trip, staycation, vacation, or sabbatical, we all need some time away from work.

Johnny C Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR professional society and author of “Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”

The questions are submitted by readers, and Taylor’s answers below have been edited for length and clarity.

Have a question? Do you have an HR or work-related question you’d like me to answer? Submit it here.

Question: My company has been woefully understaffed for months now with no end in sight. We’ve been so busy that I have felt guilty about taking days off. Though I probably need one, I haven’t taken a vacation yet this year and don’t have anything planned for the rest of the year. My manager hasn’t taken one either. Should I take a vacation at some point in a year? – Kirsten