The average American worker earns 22.6 days in vacation. Yet in 2016, they only used an average of 16.8 days, leaving 662 million vacation days on the table.
I find this amazing. We need our R&R, people!
Why are US workers so reluctant to use their vacation time? A survey by GfK, who studies American workers and time off, found the following:
26% worry they’ll be seen as less dedicated
23% worry that they’ll be replaced
21% worry that they’ll hurt their chances for a raise or promotion
But here’s the thing. In a comparison of vacation takers and vacation forfeiters, GfK found that:
“Employees who forfeit their vacation days do not perform as well as those who use all their time. While they may believe sacrificing vacation time will get them ahead, these employees are less likely than non-forfeiters to have been promoted within the last year (23% to 27%) and to have received a raise or bonus in the last three years (78% to 84%). This is on top of the $66.4 billion in benefits they lost by forfeiting time last year.”
So vacation forfeiters, let me ask: How’s that working for you?
If you don’t already have something on the calendar, I encourage you to take a few minutes right now and pencil in a week or two weeks or whatever your schedule allows. You need a break. It’s good for you, and it’s good for your employer.
Taking vacation has been shown to:
-Reduce stress
-Contribute to better mental and physical health
-Improve relationships
When companies encourage their employees to take vacation, they benefit through:
-Higher employee productivity
-Stronger workplace morale
-Greater retention
-Healthier employees
Whether you take an exotic vacation or a low-key “staycation,” get something on the calendar before the summer gets away from you!
Just like you need to give your body a break from your workouts, you need to give your brain a break from your work. Thinking, managing your emotions, making decisions, creating new ideas, interacting with others, all require mental effort that can wear your brain out. You need to give it a rest.
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” -Seneca
Till next time,
Karen
