Workers will have their noses to the grindstone this holiday season, with a scant amount taking time off from work.
Three-quarters of employees plan to work from home the week of Dec. 25, according to a survey by West Unified Communications Services, a provider of communications technologies.
The commitment could backfire. “It’s a good idea to take time off if you can,” Kevin McMahon, marketing director at West Unified, told FierceCEO. “A little bit of rest goes a long way toward refreshing and restoring your energy.”
Still, the survey found:
- Two-thirds of workers will check email Christmas Day.
- 42% will check emails one to two times a day when they are off the clock.
- 11% will check email every hour during a holiday.
- 38% have taken work calls or meetings during Christmas.
- One out of five said their employers expect them to be connected if they’re able.
- 23% said they are working from home this holiday season to avoid getting swamped with emails.
A Robert Half holiday survey found 18% of workers plan to work the entire week of Dec. 25. Of the 67% of workers who will take at least part of Christmas week off, 64% will check in with the office while they're out.
- One-third of employees plan to take the entire week off.
- 61% of this group say it's because their organization closes for the week.
- 79% note their firm pays employees during the closure.
- For people who plan to work, 81% expect to be at least somewhat productive.
This does not necessarily mean vacation time is being used up. Thirty-five percent say they won't use all their time off this year. The reasons vary:
- 43% are saving the time for something later.
- 21% have too much work to do.
- 15% have no money to go on vacation.
- 9% feel guilty taking time off.
- 3% say their boss discourages them from taking time off.
Among cities:
- New York City ranks No. 1 for planning to use all vacation days; 80% plan to clear out their coffers. Raleigh ranks lowest at 50%.
- Saving days off to use later is the top priority for Seattle at 61%.
- In Chicago, 32% of workers cite too much work as the reason they can't break away.
- Miami ranks first in citing a lack of resources to take vacation, at 28%.
- In Cincinnati, workers feel the most uneasy taking time off, at 19%.
- Phoenix tops the list for feeling discouraged by bosses to take time away, at 12%.