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Survey: Work-Free Vacations Elusive for Many

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Summary

A survey of 2,300 workers in the United States and Canada found that many workers are unable to take a work-free vacation, with 28 percent being pestered by email, 25 percent by texts, 8 percent by phone calls or social media, and 48 percent having difficulty switching off. Reasons for working while on vacation include anxiety, employer expectations, control issues, fear, and mistrust. Employers can help by creating team policies and strategies, setting collective goals, providing tools to help employees work smarter, setting a good example, and offering companywide time off.

Q&As

How many survey respondents were there?
2,300

What percentage of respondents reported being pestered by work emails while on vacation?
28%

What percentage of respondents felt an implicit expectation to work while on vacation?
35%

What are some strategies employers can use to help employees unplug while on vacation?
Create team policies and strategies that address root causes for working while on vacation, set collective goals that don't overly rely on any one individual, provide tools to help employees work smarter and use their time more effectively, set a good example, and offer companywide time off.

What percentage of respondents said they are unable to switch off from work while on vacation?
48%

AI Comments

👍 This article provides an informative and interesting look into how technology has made it difficult for workers to truly take a work-free vacation.

👎 This article paints a bleak picture of how technology is making it impossible for workers to take a true break from work.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about a survey that found many workers don't get work-free vacations. 28% of U.S. workers and 25% of Canadian workers reported being pestered by email, texts, phone calls, and social media while they are on vacation.

Friend: That's a real shame. It seems like a lot of people are expected to be available for work even when they are supposed to be taking a break.

Me: Yeah, that's true. The article also mentioned that 48% of people have trouble switching off from work when they're on vacation. That could be because of anxiety, employer expectations, control issues, fear, or mistrust.

Friend: That's really concerning. It's important for people to be able to take a break from work and have some time off.

Me: Absolutely. The article suggests that employers can create team policies and strategies that address the root causes of working while on vacation, set collective goals, provide tools to help employees work smarter, and set a good example by offering companywide time off.

Action items

Develop a policy that outlines expectations for employees while on vacation, including expectations for responding to emails, texts, and phone calls.
Provide tools and resources to help employees work smarter and use their time more effectively.
Set a good example by taking time off and encouraging employees to do the same.

Technical terms

Survey: A survey is a research method used to collect data from a group of people. It is typically used to gather information about a particular topic or to measure people's opinions, beliefs, or behaviors.
Work-Free Vacation: A work-free vacation is a period of time away from work during which an employee does not have to perform any work-related activities.
Employer-Paid Vacation: Employer-paid vacation is a benefit offered by some employers that allows employees to take paid time off from work.
Elvtr: Elvtr is a learning platform for individuals to attend virtual classrooms provided by industry leaders.
SHRM Online: SHRM Online is an online resource for human resources professionals, providing news, information, and resources related to the HR field.
HR Professionals: HR professionals are individuals who specialize in human resources management. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and managing employees.
HR Topics: HR topics are topics related to human resources management, such as recruitment, hiring, training, and employee relations.
Employment Law: Employment law is a body of law that governs the relationship between employers and employees. It covers topics such as wages, hours, discrimination, and safety.
Team Training & Development: Team training and development is a process of providing employees with the skills and knowledge they need to perform their jobs effectively.
SHRM Educational Programs: SHRM Educational Programs are courses and programs offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to help HR professionals develop their skills and knowledge.
SHRM Specialty Credentials: SHRM Specialty Credentials are certifications offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to recognize HR professionals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in a particular area of HR.
SHRM Events: SHRM Events are conferences, seminars, and other events hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
SHRM India Events: SHRM India Events are conferences, seminars, and other events hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in India.