A survey shows 52 percent of American employees who get paid time off don’t use it all, and many don’t use any of it. But even if there’s nowhere you’d rather be than work, you — and your boss —
A survey shows 52 percent of American employees who get paid time off don’t use it all, and many don’t use any of it. But even if there’s nowhere you’d rather be than work, you — and your boss — might be better off if you took a break.
The poll of more than 1,000 workers, which Princeton Research Associates conducted for Bankrate.com, found 1 in 4 workers ages 18-25 took no vacation days at all in 2016. The most popular reason for not using days was to save them for next year, as some employers allow.
The second most popular reason was too much work. Arielle O’Shea of NerdWallet said those who fear their age will be held against them — younger millennials and younger boomers — might give up vacation time to prove themselves.
And Seth Harris, who was a deputy labor secretary earlier in the Obama administration, said some workers get clear signals they’re expected to refrain from fully using their vacation time. Employers must recognize that’s not good for their operations, and it’s certainly not good for their employees.
After all, not taking time off can affect work performance, Bankrate’s Sarah Berger said. And according to Washington Post career writer Nicole Coomber, workers who took at least 10 vacation days were nearly two-thirds more likely to get a bonus or raise in a three-year span.
Employers should not pressure people to forgo their vacation time. Besides, if employees come back from vacation recharged for work, that helps their employers.
So, workers who think they are investing in their careers by not taking time off must understand a break might help them better perform.
There are additional pluses to workers taking time off, too, including those who stay at work because they love to do so. In fact, those employees are bound to enjoy their work more after being away from the job. Taking a break, getting rest and exploring other interests are not bad things.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
