We hear a lot about people struggling with burnout at work, but new research suggests they’re not taking advantage of all the time off that comes with their job. A new Harris Poll report on out-of-office culture finds a lot of employees actually struggle to ask for time off, and when they do? They end up feeling guilty.
The survey of 1,170 employed American adults reveals:
- Overall, 83% of those polled are happy with their employer’s time-off policy, but 78% don’t use all the days off they get.
- The average American took 15 days off in 2023, but about half get more than 15 days off a year.
- People are afraid to ask for time off, especially younger workers. Half of respondents say they get nervous asking to take time off, and that increases to 61% for millennials.
- And 76% wish their employer promoted the value of taking time off more.
- While 62% say being out of office means “absolutely no working,” 60% admit they struggle to fully disconnect.
- More than half (56%) have taken work calls or meetings and 86% have read emails from their boss during their time off.
- Two-thirds of workers dread the backlog of work that’s waiting for them when they return.
- Nearly half (47%) actually feel guilty for taking time off, while 28% have taken time off without telling their manager.
- Some employees have come up with their own ways to look like they’re working when they’re not, including 31% who confess to moving their mouse around to keep their status active on company messaging systems.
- Almost a third (30%) have scheduled messages to send outside of working hours to give the impression they’re working longer.
- On their ideal paid time off day, Americans would prioritize rest and relaxation (65%), and quality time with loved ones (50%). Their ideal location to spend the day would be the beach (37%), or a city in the U.S. (19%) or their couch/bed (17%).
Source: Fast Company