More Bosses Taking Vacation than Employees
In a survey, 19 percent of full-time workers say they can’t afford to take a vacation, down from 24 percent in 2011.
The recession caused many American workers to rule out their annual vacations, but according to a new survey from CareerBuilder, bosses are finding more time for getaways than their workers.
Eighty-one percent of managers have taken or plan to take vacation this year, compared to 65 percent of full-time employees.
[ Also Read: Nine Signs You’re Working in a Sick Company ]While the number of American workers who have already taken or plan to take a vacation is up from 61 percent in 2011, the number of vacationers falls well below pre-financial crisis levels. In 2007, 80 percent of full-time workers went on vacation or expected to take a vacation that year.
The nationwide survey – conducted February 9 to March 2, 2012, among more than 5,000 full-time workers and more than 2,000 managers – found that vacations are still financially out of reach for many Americans.
One in five workers (19 percent) said they can’t afford to go on vacation, which is down from 24 percent in 2011. An additional 12 percent of workers say they can afford vacations, but have no plans to take one, consistent with past years.
[ Also Read: When Office Romance Leads to Marriage ]“Managers may be more likely to afford vacations, but they should still be encouraging their employees to use paid time off, even if they are staying close to home,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.
“Workers who maximize vacation time are less likely to burn out and more likely to maintain productivity levels. Heavy workloads and financial constraints can make it difficult to get away from work, but even if you’re not traveling far from home, a few days away can have a very positive impact on your health and happiness.”
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,303 U.S. hiring managers and human resource professionals and 5,772 U.S. workers between February 9 and March 2, 2012. The survey findings were released Thursday, June 21.
Photo courtesy: CareerBuilder
