Few employees plan to take vacation this year. And those that do will check with the office more frequently. Is this a good thing for companies?
More than a third (35%) of employees haven’t taken and don’t plan to take a vacation in 2009, according to a recent CareerBuilder survey.
That’s compared to 20% in 2007.
The main reason is the economy, with 71% of those non-travelers saying it’s because they can’t afford to go away. Another 20% say they’re afraid of losing their jobs if they take any time off.
Those that do get out don’t plan on making a complete break. About 28% of those employees plan to contact the office at least once while they’re gone, compared to 20% in 2007. The reason: pressure from employers. Half of companies said they expect workers to be able to keep in touch while they’re away.
While companies may appreciate the dedication and be glad to see fewer empty desks this summer, experts warn employers against encouraging employees to skip their time off. Vacations are key to maintaining productivity and preventing burnout, they say.
Managers can set a good example by taking time off themselves, and by not e-mailing or calling employees who are on vacation.