Save our holiday!

Brits fight to keep holiday despite growing pressure at work

By TTM on 19 April 2009 in News

Sixty per cent of Brits will take their full holiday entitlement this year despite mounting work pressures and a volatile economic outlook, according to a global study from Expedia.co.uk.

Almost half the nation (45%) feels rejuvenated and rested after a much needed and well-earned break while 29% feel that it increases their productivity in and around the office.

The Demanding Workplace
But in spite of the obvious benefits a holiday can have a staggering 22% confess to having to cancel holiday due to work commitments – 2% more than in 2008. Moreover, almost a quarter (23%) of office workers owned up to keeping in touch with colleagues while away and checking work emails, an increase of 10% on last year’s findings.

With 6% of the nation too busy in the office to take a holiday – surprisingly 1% down on last year’s figures – the stressful workplace is to blame for more than one in ten (12%) missing out on their much-needed break by not planning ahead and booking the time with their employers.

“Now more than ever it is important to take time out – even if it is just for a few days – to recharge the batteries, re-evaluate priorities and spend time with family and friends. This can often lead to increased productivity once you’re back in the office. At Expedia there are a range of holiday options to suit every budget so if you do manage to get away – whether you choose to stay home or go abroad – it doesn’t have to break the bank,” said Jonathan Cudworth, Head of Product Marketing at Expedia.co.uk.

Holiday for Sale
Almost one in ten Brits (8%) plan to decrease the amount of holiday they take this year in order to get money back from their employers for the unused days, an increase of 3% on 2008.

Global Vacation Deprivation Index
The research, which surveyed a total of 10,000 adults across 11 countries, ranked Britain sixth when it came to holiday allowance and actual holiday taken.

For the second year in a row Brits still don’t compare to those in the Euro Zone where some countries receive holiday of up to 38 days entitlement each year. But, taking into account the outstanding days that aren’t taken each year, it is Austria that misses out by taking a paltry 23 days out of the office.

Rank Country Average holiday allowance Deficit of days not taken :

1 Japan 15 days 7 days
2 America 13 days 3 days
3 Canada 19 days 2 days
4 Australia 19 days 3 days
5 New Zealand 21 days 3 days
6 Great Britain 26 days 2 days
7 Germany 27 days 2 days
8 Austria 27 days 4 days
9 Spain 30 days 3 days
10 Italy 31 days 6 days
11 France 38 days 2 days
 

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