In the U.S., the last Monday of May (May 28, 2018, this year) is Memorial Day, a national holiday honoring members of the military whose lives were lost in service to their nation. Unofficially, the day has also become the beginning of the summer vacation season. However, according to recent research commissioned by TSheets by QuickBooks, 32 percent of U.S. workers are reluctant to use all of their vacation days, saying they feel pressured not to take time off.
Having paid vacations vs. taking paid vacations
Most workers have access to paid time off, but many of them don’t use the full allocation of paid vacation provided.
84% | Percentage of workforce that currently has access to paid time off
65% | Percentage of workers with paid time off who don’t use their full allocation of days (in 2017)
18% | Percentage of those who don’t use full allocation of vacation days who blame their workload.
$573,694,800 | Estimated value of employee time off that is not used
While on vacation, most people do some work
60% | Percentage of employees who took time off but did some work while they were on vacation.
48% | Percentage of employees who believe they do not get enough time off
What do employees want? More time off vs. higher pay
74% | Percentage of employees who say they would prefer a higher salary than more paid time off
39% | Percentage of employees who say they would accept a job without paid time-off
Stressed out employees need vacation days, but often don’t take them
43% | Percentage or workers reporting they are “often” or “always” stressed
33% | Percentage of employees who say the stress they experience at work is detrimental to their health
51% | Percentage of employees who have taken time off due to stress, however many of the workers surveyed have used false reasons with (translation: lied to) their manager for taking off the time.
Workers report that they have used false reasons for taking time off, rather than the actual cause
15% | Percentage of workers who avoided using insomnia as a reason
13% | Mental health
12% | Physical health
7% | A hangover
Going to work sick
89% | Percentage of employees who have come to work sick
19% | Percentage of employees who admit doing this more than once a month
11% | Never come to work sick.
The paid-leave benefits employees want most
91% | Paid holidays
88% | Sick leave
87% | Paid vacation day
Older workers get most paid time off, but are least likely to use it
57% | Percentage of workers 55 years old and over who receive 11 days of paid time or more
52% | Percentage of workers 18-24 years-old who receive five days of paid time or less
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