Do You Use All Of Your Vacation Time?
Years of championing for Canadians vacationing rights and Canadians are still not using all of their vacation time.
The 6th annual Expedia.ca and Ipsos Reid survey revealed that Canadians are giving back days 2.43 days in unused vacation. As well, 67% of employed Canadians feel more, or just as, vacation-deprived as they did five years ago.
The survey revealed that BC and Alberta have the most vacation-deprived workers in Canada, with one-quarter giving vacation days back to employers. Quebec, which seems to emulate the European lifestyle of “work to live rather than live to work” is consistently the least deprived with just 15% of workers giving days back.
Who tops the list of the most vacation deprived?
Young employed adults. Canadians aged 18 to 34 seem to be sacrificing valuable time off for career growth and are the demographic most likely to describe themselves as more vacation-deprived than they were five years ago. Our young adults are also more likely to trade in vacation time for money and are more likely to feel guilty about taking time off. Younger Canadians find technological advances make it harder to get away and are most likely to check their messages while on vacation.
Canada continues to be one of the most vacation-deprived countries with employed Canadians reporting an average of 18 days for 2007. Only the US afares worse with an annual average of 14 vacation days. France continues its reign as the least vacation-deprived country with 36 days. Spain receives 30, Germany receives 27 and Great Britain rounded out the survey with 24 vacation days received.
Beverly’s Hot Tips for avoiding Vacation Deprivation:
- Don’t wait until you find the perfect time to book your vacation. Too often we let our workloads and schedules interfere with taking our vacation time. Plan, Book and Pay for your vacation early so that nothing gets in your way.
- Plan the right vacation for you. If you need to relax, make a plan to find plenty of relaxing things to do (or not do).
- Ease in and out of your vacation time. There is nothing worse than a person returning from their vacation saying they need a vacation from their vacation.
- Once on vacation don’t forget to appreciate the quite times. Most of us get so uptight that we forget to take time to focus on the beauty. Take the time to breathe deeply, laugh and nurture your soul.
What Is Vacation?
“Vacation” is defined in Webster’s as “being free from a duty or service; an intermission; a period of rest and recreation; a holiday.” Good vacations can be a stress reliever and are a time to practice living, getting connected and having fun again.
If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!
Additional Resources:
Vacation Deprivation Infographic
Corporate Wellness Benefits – Vacation Benefits
Vacation Deprivation – Sacrificing Relaxation
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