I Really Need Time Off from Work – but is it ok to take a break?

Yes, You Really Should Take That Vacation

A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that 43% of U.S. workers avoid using vacation time because they would feel guilty about their colleagues having to “pick up their slack” while out of the office. With the influx of Instagram and TikTok creators touting “hustle culture,” it’s no surprise that we’re working more these days, but are we actually happy about it?

The truth is, people aren’t skipping their well-deserved vacations to work on beloved “side hustles,” but because they feel worried, guilty, shamed and stigmatized when it comes to taking vacation time.

Why Americans Feel Like They Can’t Use Their Vacation Time

The shame that hustle culture instills is only one of the reasons that 46% of U.S. employees take less vacation time than they’re offered.

Some reasons workers have cited for avoiding using their earned vacation time include:

“I can’t take my vacation days because there’s always too much work to catch up on when I get back!”

Have you ever returned to work after some time away to find dozens of emails lying in wait in your inbox, ready to spring on you the moment you log in? Missing just one sick day means more emails to reply to and a bigger pile in your inbox, so imagine how much more work you’d have if you were to take an entire week of vacation. Why bother? If this sounds like you, you’re like the 49% of the population who say they don’t take vacations because they’re afraid of falling behind at work.

“I’m afraid to ask for my vacation time.”

Some employees are worried that using their vacation time will have negative impacts on their career, putting their professional goals or even their job security at risk. The Pew Research Center survey found that:

• More than 4 in 10 U.S. workers don’t take all of their annual paid time off
• 24% of workers who have been with their employer for less than a year say they don’t take time off out of fear of losing their job
• 21% of workers who have been with their employer for 1-5 years also say they skip paid time off out of fear of losing their job
• Black workers are more likely than white workers to say that the risk of losing their job is a reason they take less time off than what is offered (21% vs. 13%)

“I can’t afford to take the time off.”

In the U.S., not all businesses are required to provide paid time off, so many don’t. For their employees, taking time off can often be financially unfeasible. While this is certainly a valid reason to skip a vacation, don’t let it keep you from taking care of yourself! 

If you plan ahead, you can ensure that you’re financially able to take some necessary time off. If you can’t take a lot of time, consider taking at least one day off every now and then to rest up, visit friends and family you haven’t seen lately or get back into a hobby you enjoy. By opting for a “staycation,” you’ll save money, but still enjoy some well-earned time off.

You can also schedule your planned days off so they’re right before your usual days off. That’s the strategy of employees in Japan, according to a recent report from Expedia. The travel company’s survey found that Japanese employees are seven times more likely than Americans to take vacation days every month – despite having roughly the same number of vacation days annually. That’s because many Japanese employees maximize their vacation time by taking advantage of federal holidays or office and school closures to frequently schedule long weekend getaways. 

“My company needs me.”

Many people feel guilty about leaving their work responsibilities behind. They feel like they’re encroaching on their colleagues by effectively asking them to do their work for them. If you feel an inexplicable guilt just thinking about taking a vacation, answer this question: Have you ever performed a colleague’s task while they were out of the office? Well, now, it’s someone’s turn to do it for you! These systems are in place for a reason – so that every employee is able to take the time off they’re entitled to. 

John de Graaf, the former president of Take Back Your Time, an organization focused on challenging society’s epidemic of overwork, says that times of recession can make employees more concerned about job security. They might worry that being out of the office might be seen as not “giving it their all.” De Graaf goes on to say: “You have this kind of fear of not wanting to be seen as a slacker.”

48% of American professionals say that taking time off for vacation causes more work-related stress than it’s worth, with 23% unable to completely disconnect from work while on vacation.

The increase in remote work has also blurred the lines between work and personal time. While remote work can allow you to get chores done between tasks or make a quick grocery run on your lunch break, it can also lead to working more hours and answering more calls or emails after hours.

So, you might think that things are just too critical at work right now, that you need to be in the office, thinking, coming up with creative solutions to the problems your company is facing, but taking a vacation is more helpful when it comes to improving your work performance!

Rebecca Zucker, an executive leadership development coach, says that when you’re overwhelmed with work, you can experience “cognitive fatigue, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and impaired problem-solving ability, among several other effects.”

But taking a vacation provides you with an opportunity for more rest and better sleep (both quantity and quality), which can help you think more clearly and be more creative. Research has confirmed this time and time again, but if that doesn’t convince you. Maybe this will: Lin-Manuel Miranda thought up “Hamilton” while on vacation. 

He says:

“It’s no accident that the best idea I’ve ever had in my life — perhaps maybe the best one I’ll ever have in my life — came to me on vacation … The moment my brain got a moment’s rest, ‘Hamilton’ walked into it.”

So, if you really want to prove that you’re a valuable employee, take advantage of your vacation time and come back rested, rejuvenated and ready to go.

The Burnout “Epidemic” Is Still Going On

Both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Surgeon General have spoken out on burnout – workplace stress left unmanaged – and its serious impacts on our workforce. In fact, “burnout” has been such a trendy term the last few years that you may be desensitized to hearing about it at this point, but that doesn’t make it any less likely to happen to you.

Untreated burnout can lead to:

• Feeling drained
• Feeling unable to cope.
• Not being able to get quality sleep.
• Feeling sad, angry, irritable or like you don’t care about work or even your personal life
• New or increased use of alcohol or other substances.
• Heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

We Find Purpose in Providing a Community of Hope

If you’re struggling with exhaustion, apathy or other symptoms of burnout or any behavioral health struggle, we want to help. WTCSB is your single point of entry for access to mental health services, developmental disabilities support, and substance abuse services for Franklin and Suffolk and the counties of Isle of Wight and Southampton.

Your relief is our priority, and we are always available and accessible to all.

Get started online or by calling 757-758-5106.