A study of 2000 people, created by online learning platform ELVTR shows that one in four get asked to check their emails while on their annual leave.

It also shows that 24 percent are bombarded by work-related text messages while away. Another 17 percent are bothered by email, and 23 percent via socials or phone calls during their break.

Also, one in three feel an implicit expectation to work through holidays.

As a result, two-thirds of Brits continue to work on holidays and half of them upset their partners or travel companions by doing so.

The research shows 49 percent feel anxious if they do not check their work emails while away and 44 percent struggle to switch off during their downtime.

This pattern is detrimental for both employees and their employers

Viktor Grekov founder of the OKR Software company Oboard, said: “Sacrificing personal time to maintain job security is a common occurrence during financial crises. However, this can have devastating consequences for both employees and employers. Short term, workers suffer from increased stress and health issues, reduced productivity and, subsequently, fewer growth opportunities. Long term, innovation is stifled with the workforce focused on its own problems, turnover rates skyrocket as workers seek better work-life balance elsewhere, and employers get a reputation for disrupting their employees’ personal time — and these issues will continue to impact businesses long after economic conditions improve.

“When faced with immediate challenges, businesses cannot lose sight of their long-term goals. Encouraging employees to sacrifice their personal time won’t save your business… You’re simply delaying the productivity loss.”

What about bothering those who are away?

When asked if they would bother their holidaying team members, one in three admitted they bother their holidaying colleagues: 14 percent by text messages, 12 percent via social media or phone calls, and 11 percent by email.As a result, this lack of work-life balance takes a toll on the workers’ wellbeing: 73 percent feel guilt when working on holidays, and 37 percent feel guilt if they do not.Viktor added his top tips on how companies can promote healthier corporate culture: “Businesses should make clear that they do not condone encroaching on employees’ time off by putting comprehensive policies and procedures in place regarding absences. While having no one to delegate tasks to is the biggest cause of overworking, with a comprehensive strategy and system in place to ensure entire teams are working towards the same goals, there is no reason why one person’s absence should cause progress to ground to a halt.

It is the managers’ responsibility

The responsibility then falls on managers to lead by example. Take your holiday, make clear who to contact in your absence, set your boundaries before you leave, and offer the same respect to your colleagues when they are away.

For teams that find it difficult to disconnect, company-wide holidays and half days can provide relief. With entire teams away from the office, there’s far less chance of unwanted interruption.

Of course, businesses should always keep an eye on the numbers and rework their policies if productivity is in free fall. However, denying employees a break is never a sustainable solution — unless your company-wide goal is mass burnout and unending delays”The recession and economic downturn have their impact as well: 35 percent are taking less time off and 12 percent will not be able to take holidays at all due to understaffing following company layoffs. In fact, having no one to delegate their work to is the main reason to work on holiday at 39 percent, while 5 percent are afraid to lose their job.

Roman Peskin, co-founder and CEO of ELVTR, added:

“Alarmingly, workers are being pushed to the brink, with many sacrificing their well-deserved vacations and downtime in the name of productivity. It’s high time we hit the ‘pause’ button on this relentless race. We at ELVTR urge employers and employees alike to join forces in tackling this work-life balance crisis head-on and let’s transform the way we approach time off. After all, a rested mind is a creative and effective one!”

 

 

 

 

Amelia Brand
Amelia Brand

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.