Unused Vacation Time
Over the years, it has become a rising trend for employees to not use their vacation time. The most common reported reason for this is the fear that taking a vacation will hurt one’s chances of getting a promotion or a bonus, which has been proven false. However, by using their vacation time, employees are actually improving their own health, as well as the health and success of the company.
The Benefits of Using Vacation Time
- Taking a vacation helps employees feel more relaxed and satisfied, which improves productivity. In a study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) for Project: Time Off, 78% of Human Resource managers believe that using vacation time leads to increased job satisfaction and 75% believe it leads to higher job performance.
- Team members who use their vacation time actually work better together and produce better results. This is because they realize how important each team members contributions are. Taking a break from a work setting can also help boost team members’ creativity and lead them to be more open-minded and positive.
- Employees that take vacations are healthier and happier. The landmark Framingham Heart Study revealed that men and women who took at least two vacations a year were less likely to develop coronary heart disease or have a heart attack compared to those that did not take time off. In addition, Health Net cites numerous studies that prove taking vacations reduces risk for depression, decreases stress levels and lowers blood pressure. This overall leads to employees taking less sick days, which is beneficial for business.
In conclusion, having a work culture that encourages employees to take their vacation time is not only good for employee health and productivity, but it also helps improve the organization as a whole. Click here to learn more!
