Workplace Trends
Time away from work is important. It is time set aside to recharge, it helps reduce burnout, and it allows you to prioritize your well-being.
So why do so many people skip their earned time off?
The U.S. Travel Association reported that each year more than half of Americans give up paid days off. This translates into approximately 768 million days of unused vacation time.
A survey from Fishbowl by Glassdoor (a social network for professionals) found that many professionals feel they cannot disconnect from work duties due to toxic work cultures, inadequate paid time off, or fear of delayed career advancement if they take vacation.
Why This Matters
Research shows that taking time off benefits workers and employers mentally, physically, and spiritually and results in healthier, happier employees.
- Mentally – Taking a vacation creates the opportunity for rest and better sleep (both quantity and quality), which can help unclutter your mind to boost creativity
- Physically – Relaxing on vacation can reduce the levels of your stress hormones and allow your immune system to recover, making you less prone to illness
- Spiritually – Time away from work can help you focus on your long-term goals and spend time in reflection and prayer, and ask big questions such as “What do I really want?” or “What’s most important to me?”
Employers should encourage employees to take time off, so they can rest and recharge. This will result in increased engagement and boosted productivity. When employees do not take vacation, they risk burnout, detachment, and discouragement.
Next Step
Ensuring employees take regular time off is key to creating a more sustainable workplace. Consider if this is a discussion that needs to be had at your organization, and if so how it can be facilitated.
To learn more about the importance of vacation time, and how it improves well being, click here.