- After COVID-19 disruptions in 2020, a worker survey finds that nearly four in five employees are planning to use more vacation time this year
- 62 percent of respondents said they plan to check in at least occasionally during their break
- Most workers will continue to check into work during their vacation, often to avoid having a bigger workload when they return
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Amid travel restrictions and business shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, countless workers canceled planned vacations in 2020. A recent survey finds that workers are more determined to enjoy their time off this year, although few will disconnect entirely from their job.
In a survey of 620 workers in June, the management consulting firm Korn Ferry found that 79 percent plan to take more vacation time this year. Eighty-two percent said they’ll appreciate the break more than they did in the past.
- 56 percent said work demands have interfered with their vacations in the past, forcing them to cancel, delay or cut short a trip
- 82 percent said they’ll check into work less frequently during their time off, but only 13 percent plan to put work aside entirely; 62 percent said they’ll check in occasionally
- One-third of those who said they plan to complete some work during their vacation says they need to do so to avoid encountering a bigger workload upon their return
- With the pandemic fueling more worker burnout and stress, some companies have been more generous with their time off, including some larger firms mandating time off for employees to recharge