Relaxation/Vacation
Vacation deprivationMade plans for a summer vacation yet? Many of us love the thought of taking time off and would even sacrifice a portion of our paycheque for additional vacation days, but when it comes to taking the days we're already allotted, Canadians get a failing grade. LINDA WHITE |
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 [ 2006-07-05 ] |
Nearly one-quarter of employed Canadians forfeit an average of two days of vacation a year, the fourth annual Expedia.ca/Ipsos-Reid Vacation Deprivation Study reveals.
"2 DAYS ON THE TABLE"
"We're still leaving two days on the table, even though 22% of employed Canadians say they would take a lower salary for more vacation time," sociologist and stress expert Beverly Beuermann-King says. "We want more time off, we need more time off, but we're not taking it."
So why aren't we taking all our vacation days? Not scheduling in advance (11%), too busy at work (9%) and taking cash in lieu of days (8%) are among the top reasons. About two in 10 of us have cancelled or postponed our vacation plans in the past because of work and 18% check our work messages while on vacation.
"We need to think about why we think we can't get away. What if you were in a car accident? You need to set up policies, procedures and safeguards to help you take that downtime," Beuermann-King says.
The study suggests vacations are more important than ever. More than two-thirds of employed Canadians reported feeling stress just before, after or during a vacation. "We're working at 100%. Just like a car engine, you can't rev it constantly without maintenance time," Beuermann-King says.
"We need that downtime to be more creative and productive. The more in doesn't necessarily mean the more out ... We need to gather our energies to deal with the next stress that comes along."
Last year, employed Canadians reported receiving an average of 21 vacation days a year. This year, the average is 19 -- giving us the dubious honour of receiving the fewest vacation days per year, just ahead of the United States (14 days) and Australia (17 days), the study reveals.
France again wins the distinction of taking and receiving the most vacation days out of those countries surveyed. Employed adults there receive an average of 39 days of vacation each year.
"We look at France and wonder how they ever manage to get any work done, but they have a better sense of life rhythm," Beuermann-King says. "They look at us as being out of our trees ... and wonder how we can have meaning in our lives."
From a list of professions provided to survey respondents, Canadian workers identified caregivers and medical professionals as the most vacation-deprived jobs, beating out lawyers, salespeople and financial professionals. Ranked lowest among the list of professionals were civil servants and teachers.
"No matter the profession, the importance of work-life balance and taking vacations is paramount," Beuermann-King says. "With 55% of Canadians feeling rested and rejuvenated after a vacation and another 44% feeling better about their job after a vacation, it's crucial to make time to plan for a vacation, even during busy periods."
Baby boomers are among the worst offenders. "They are workaholics," Beuermann-King says. "The new generation has a different attitude. Work-life balance is paramount to them ... By 2015, there will be more jobs than people. If employers don't take note of their need for balance, they will not be an employer of choice."
As summer vacation season gets underway, most of us plan to take extended periods of time off: 38% are looking forward to at least one two-week vacation and another 32% will take at least a one-week vacation. And those vacations don't have to be costly to be effective.
"We have a perception that the ideal vacation has to cost a lot of money, but it doesn't have to," Beuermann-King says. "It can be camping in Algonquin Park. The biggest thing is to match your vacation with what you need. Do you make decisions all day? Maybe you want an all-inclusive vacation so you don't need to make decisions. Are you busy, but not challenged? Maybe you want to go mountain climbing."
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BY THE NUMBERS: IPSOS REID STUDY
According to the fourth annual Expedia.ca/ Ipsos-Reid Vacation Deprivation Study:
-- 24% of employed Canadians do not use all of their vacation days and one in 10 say they don't usually take any days.
-- More vacation time tops the list of perks to reward loyalty or years spent with a company: 40% choose an additional vacation day over the next most popular perk, a nicer workspace (10%).
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