Once summer rolls around, many European nations prepare to close up shop for the month of August. This provides employees the opportunity to relax and enjoy their vacations to the fullest! By comparison, a shocking 78% of American workers leave at least some of their paid time off unused. This gap has led to a national and spirited debate about the need to reform workplace culture in America. It’s no wonder a growing number of Americans are pushing for a vacation policy that looks more like Europe’s.
A recent poll found that two-thirds of Americans support the introduction of extended, European-style vacation policies in the workplace. Such policies send a strong message that we value our employees’ needs for separation between work and home life, and are committed to creating a healthier work-life balance. Millennials and Gen-Zers in the United States have some issues that make their situation special. Younger generations in particular worry about the stigma of being a slacker if they take a sabbatical. Consequently, close to 40% of them confess to having taken leave without telling their supervisors.
In the U.S., 76% of workers report that their employers are not supporting their efforts to achieve a better work-life balance. This is compounded by the pressure to be available beyond the traditional work day. In fact, scheduling messages after hours gives the false optics of someone working late, which just contributes to the chronic work stress felt by American workers.
Europeans have a much calmer holiday experience, without the stress that usually accompanies American holidays. The European model forbids employees from doing any work on vacation, fostering an environment where people can enjoy their time off to experience real rest and recovery. This is in complete opposition to other popular tourist cities such as Magaluf. There, partying is almost always prioritized over getting rest.
The demand for better vacation policies is part of a larger movement that seeks a more humane culture around work and life. Perhaps not—the vast majority of Americans are disappointed and dissatisfied with the state of play. This sentiment is very obviously echoed by a large majority of the global workforce.
“I wish my workplace culture placed a stronger emphasis on the value of taking regular breaks and utilising paid time off.” – 76% of workers
This longing for change underscores the need for organizations to reassess their vacation policies and cultivate a culture that values time off. Deeply irresponsible in today’s corporate milieu “Quiet vacationing” exposes a major breach of duty to care. Experts say that it points to a deeply toxic work culture.