Many workers are worn out and ready to make up for lost vacation time, new research shows. More than 4 in 10 professionals surveyed (43 per cent) said they are more burned out on the job today compared to a year ago, up from 33 per cent in a similar 2020 poll. The new survey by global staffing firm Robert Half shows employees experiencing increased fatigue, with 42 per cent blame it on a heavier workload.
“For the past 14 months, many professionals have dealt with increased workloads, longer hours, minimal vacation time, and juggling personal and professional responsibilities,” said David King, senior district president of Robert Half.
“With burnout clearly on the rise, now is the time for organizations to encourage their employees to prioritize mental health and well-being, including taking time off this summer to rest and recharge.”
Pent-up vacation demand
In a separate survey of professionals:
- One in five said they forfeited paid time off in 2020
- Forty-three per cent plan to take more than three weeks of vacation time this year
- Fifty per cent are ready for an “awaycation,” to travel and completely disconnect from work; in comparison, 43 per cent prefer a staycation and only seven per cent favor a “workcation” or a vacation that combines work and leisure.
But unplugging could prove difficult for 32 per cent of employees, who admitted they’ll be checking in with work frequently when they take time off this summer.
“To empower their teams to schedule much-needed vacation time, managers should actively plan for staff coverage while employees are away—including hiring contract professionals—and set a good example by taking their own time off to disconnect from work,” added King.