Friday Funny: Are You A Vacation Saver Or A Spender?

Vacations InfographicPosted by Heidi Schwartz

With summer just around the corner, many workers are thinking of summer vacations spent enjoying friends and family. However, a new Robert Half survey shows 39% of workers won’t use all the paid vacation time they’re given. The reasons: 38% are saving days in case they need them later, while 30% fear falling behind at work. The national study was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. It is based on 436 telephone interviews with U.S. adults working in an office environment. Workers were asked: “Do you typically use all of the paid vacation days you are provided by your company?” Their responses: vacation time survey Workers who answered “no” were asked: “What is the primary reason you don’t use all of your vacation time?” Their responses: vacation time two “Whether you’re a vacation ‘saver’ or ‘spender,’ it’s important to have balance,” noted Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half. “All work and no play doesn’t just lead to burnout — it also erodes creativity, since stepping out of your routine frequently sparks innovation,” he said. “Fresh perspective is useful in just about any profession.” McDonald added that managers should lead by example when it comes to saying “bon voyage” to the office. “Supervisors should encourage their teams to take a break and recharge, especially their top performers, who are often the most aggressive vacation savers and most susceptible to burnout. The best way to do this is by taking time off yourself,” he said.