July 18, 2016
By Korn Ferry
Working or Relaxing? Korn Ferry Survey Shows Execs Have a Hard Time Unplugging from the Office During Vacation
As the summer vacation season kicks into high gear, a new global survey by Korn Ferry, the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm, shows that for many executives, working is the new relaxing.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents say that during vacation, they check in with the office at least once a day, with a third saying they connect multiple times a day. This apparently does not bode well for their relationships, as 54 percent say they have had disagreements with their spouses about working when they are supposed to be on holiday.
While 46 percent say they are connected to work because they get pulled into critical issues or need to put out fires, 35 percent say they work on holiday because “they enjoy it.”
“For most executives operating at today’s breakneck pace, balancing careers, family and personal time is a tightrope act. While the lines between beach time and business are increasingly blurred, it’s critical that professionals find a way to step away and follow their passions or enjoy time with family and friends,” said Mark Royal, Senior Principal, Korn Ferry Hay Group. “Organizations also benefit, as people who take time off are shown to be more productive, more engaged and less likely to make critical mistakes.”
While 88 percent of executives say they plan on taking a vacation that is at least one full week long, 81 percent say they have cut short, delayed or cancelled a vacation due to work pressures. When they are able to take a few days off—97 percent of executives say they still connect to work.
In addition, 65 percent of executives say they do not plan on using all of their vacation time in the coming year.
Korn Ferry conducted the global survey of 1,033 executives in June 2016. Following are the responses:
While on vacation, how often do you connect to work?
Have you ever had a disagreement with your spouse about being too connected to work while on vacation?
If you work while on vacation what is the primary reason for doing so?
After returning to work from vacation, how long does it typically take you to “get back into the swing of things?”
Do you plan to use all of your available vacation time in 2016?
Do you plan to take a vacation that is at least one week long this year?
Have you cancelled/delayed/cut short personal vacation plans due to occupational demands/pressure to perform at work?
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