Most employees failed to use all of their vacation time in 2012, according to a survey by Right Management.
Of 703 workers polled throughout North America, 70% said they did not take all the time they were entitled to. The findings of the 2012 poll are identical to those of a poll the company conducted in 2011.
“Such a reluctance to take all of one’s vacation is a sign of an intense, pressure-filled workplace,” said Monika Morrow, senior vice-president, career management, with Right Management. “This is a trend that’s grown during the recession, and we may, in fact, have a new norm, which would be unfortunate. However important devotion to the job may be, there has to be some balance, and vacation is so important to one’s health and happiness.”
Morrow said senior management should encourage employees to take their vacation and to lead by example by taking their own time off. “If the boss won’t take all of his or her vacation, then workers will pick up on that and may be inclined not to use all theirs.”