Holidays underutilised by U.S employees

2 in 3 Americans (66 percent) today report working when they take holidays compared to three years ago (61 percent) and the average U.S. employee has only taken about half (54 percent) of his or her eligible vacation time/paid time off in the past 12 months.

This survey, conducted online in March/April by Harris Poll among 2,224 adults ages 18 and older, took a look at employee holiday time realities, including the percentage of eligible holiday time/paid time off employees actually take, along with how much they work and why while on vacation, among other trends.

14 percent of survey respondents admitted that a family member complained when they saw them working on vacation. 29 percent of survey respondents said they had been contacted by a co-worker while on vacation, and 25 percent said that they had been contacted by their boss.

“We are seeing a push and pull situation when it comes to employees taking vacation and paid time off, in which people attempt to step away from the office for a break from work, but technology is keeping them connected with the swipe of a finger,” said Carmel Galvin, Glassdoor chief human resources officer.

“While taking a vacation may make employees temporarily feel behind, they should realize that stepping away from work and fully disconnecting carries a ripple effect of benefits. It allows employees to return to work feeling more productive, creative, recharged and reenergized. In turn, employers should consider what a vacation really means – to actually vacate work – and how they can support employees to find true rest and relaxation to avoid burnout and turnover within their organizations.”