Few things are as fun and exciting as going on a vacation.
Taking a vacation from time to time is essential for relieving stress and preventing burnout. And according to a study by the European Society of Cardiology, it can even extend your lifespan.
And yet, despite these, many employees still don’t take vacations. According to a study by the employee insights platform Visier, only sixty percent (60%) of employees used their vacation time in 2022. The remaining forty percent (40%) didn’t use theirs at all.
Why is it that so many of us are afraid to take time off and utilize our paid leaves? Here are six reasons why employees don’t take vacations.
Taking a Vacation is Expensive Nowadays.
Unsurprisingly, one of the primary reasons employees don’t take vacations is how they can get.
With how pricey basic necessities are today due to inflation, it is understandable why many employees don’t want to go out. For them, it’s better to spend their money on bills and other expenses rather than go on a vacation.
Take going to Baguio, for example. Besides travel expenses, you also have to worry about food, where to stay, and entrance fees to some tourist spots you want to visit. We haven’t even included souvenirs here yet, which can also be pricey, depending on what you’re getting.
In addition, some companies allow their employees to convert their unused vacations into money. Because of how expensive traveling is nowadays, some employees opt for this option instead.
They Fear That Going on a Vacation Will Make Them Look Replaceable.
Despite the world slowly recovering from economic problems brought on by the pandemic, job insecurity remains a problem for many workers.
The threat of suddenly losing your job is used by some employers to “inspire” their employees to work harder. One of the effects of this is causing employees to take fewer leaves – because they think they’ll get fired if they take too much vacation time.
But think about it for a second. If taking a much-deserved break causes you to lose your job, is your company worth working for?
Their Company Culture Has a Dim View of Vacations.
Have you noticed how none of your seniors ever use their paid leaves? Or how difficult it was for you to file for a leave because of how confusing the process was? Sometimes, it’s the company culture that puts employees off taking vacations.
They may not say it outright, but if you feel that your company doesn’t like it when employees take “unnecessary” leaves, why risk it? This mentality is especially prevalent in companies that subscribe to hustle culture.
For them, employees who take “too many” breaks are being unproductive. This is despite the adverse effects of not taking vacations, such as increased stress and anxiety. So they dissuade them from doing so and make them focus on their work instead.
Employees Want to Show That They’re Dedicated to Their Jobs.
Back when most of the work was done in the office, being present was equal to being productive.
Because of this, many employees still think that sacrificing vacation time to be at work shows their bosses how committed they are. By doing so, they believe they’re improving their chances of getting a raise or landing a promotion.
However, this isn’t the case in a remote work setup anymore.
Here, productivity is based more on the amount of work you accomplish rather than just being present. Unfortunately, many employers – and employees- still haven’t moved on from a more old-fashioned mindset.
So instead of getting some rest so they can return to work re-energized, employees are burning themselves out to appear productive.
They Dread Work Piling Up After a Vacation.
A common concern for many workers is that their work will pile up when they go on vacation. After all, what’s the use of going on a break if you’ll return to an overflowing inbox afterwards?
One way to avoid this is to have a co-worker or co-workers cover for you while you’re on vacation. If your boss assigns a task to you while you’re on leave, someone can do it in your stead. So once you return from your vacation, you don’t have to worry about too much backlog.
Disconnecting From Work Has Now Become More Difficult.
One of the reasons remote work became so popular during the pandemic was the introduction of communication apps like Zoom and Skype.
However, these apps have also made it more difficult for remote workers to disconnect from their work. It is understandably hard to relax and enjoy your break if your boss keeps contacting you for an assignment.
This is more prevalent in a remote set-up as the line between work and home life tends to blur more. Because of this, many remote employees don’t take vacations anymore.
Rest Isn’t Just for the Dead.
Finding the time to take a break in today’s hectic work environment seems impossible sometimes.
Between the seemingly never-ending assignments, rising prices of goods, and toxic work culture, it’s easy to see why employees don’t take vacations anymore.
But by not taking a break, you jeopardize not just your health, but your relationships too. Even machines need to recharge from time to time, let alone human beings.
If you’re looking for online jobs that provide you with opportunities to use your paid leaves, Remote Staff’s the place to go.
We ensure that our Australian partners encourage their remote employees to use their vacation time so they can avoid burnout.
Not only that, but our jobs list has several positions available for you to apply for. So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today!
