Americans Not Taking Time Away From Work
By Christina Ruiz Correspondent© Pasadena Star-News, September 1, 2007
A recent poll taken by Fortune Personnel Consultants shows that Americans often don't take time off for a little R&R.
FPC's Workplace Web Poll Data indicates that only 25 percent of employees use their allotted vacation each year.
The national executive search firm anonymously polls job candidates visiting www.fpcnational.com on various workplace issues.
"Everyone needs to recharge their battery," said Gary Kaplan, President of Gary Kaplan & Associates, an executive search firm based in Pasadena. "It's important and a huge mistake to go year after year without doing so."
Kaplan, who was unaware of the skyrocketing stats contained in FPC's study, always makes a point of practicing what he preaches.
"I always try to get away at least for a week or so," he said.
FPC's latest poll reported a difference between entry-level and mid-level employees versus executive levels.
Twenty-nine percent of the 472 entry-level or mid-level respondents said they do not take their allotted time off, although they didn't cite a particular reason for not doing so. Thirty-six percent of the 559 managers, directors, VPs, and other executive level respondents said the same.
Kaplan doesn't recommend taking a lot of time off early in one's career, but offered the alternative of weekend trips, which do not interfere with the work week.
As for working through vacation time for the extra cash, the numbers are quite small.
Nine percent of entry-level and mid-level respondents said they rack up the extra hours instead of relaxing. Only 2 percent from the executive level opted to go for the cash.
The poll also showed that an employee's job level or income status had little to do with the amount of unused vacation time they chose to take.
Of 919 respondents earning less than $100,000, only 25 percent said they take their allotted time off with no strings attached.
The remaining 75 percent either work through the given time off or monitor the few days actually taken.
Among the 125 respondents who earn more than $100,000, only 27 percent take their time off.
The data from the study begs the question, "Why isn't vacation a priority?"
Kaplan said there are a variety of reasons as to why vacations are pushed aside by so many.
"Lifestyle has much to do with it," he said. "Typically, entry-level jobs are filled by those with young families. Because their income is lower, they often let their vacation time lapse. Others may take a day off here or there rather than a large block. For mid- to upper-level income earners, it becomes a financial issue," Kaplan said.
"They may be saving to buy a home or something," he said.
"In the high-priced world we live in, all of these expenses make it nearly impossible for some to take that much needed vacation in the tropics. But time off can give employees a fresher perspective on things upon return," he said.
One thing is for sure - Kaplan will be among the 2 million Southlanders who cut out for this long Labor Day weekend.
FPC is a national executive search firm conducting ongoing research to provide current advice and information to job candidates. As an advocate for both clients and candidates, FPC strives to place each individual with the perfect job.
