New Data Shows Majority of American Workers Not Using All Their Vacation Days
New data has revealed that around 55% of American workers did not use all of their vacation days in 2022.
Economist and futurist Rebecca Ryan has analyzed this trend, pointing out that it is a significant departure from the vacation habits of the past.
She also explained why this is happening.
According to Ryan, many people are no longer taking week-long vacations, like they used to.
Instead, they are opting for “minications” of four nights or less, and within 100 miles of their homes.
Ryan suggests that while Americans might not be taking extended vacations, they are changing how they take their time off.
The data also shows that employers are now combining sick days and vacation days into a single bucket called PTO (paid time off).
Many workers are wary of using all of their PTO in case they or a dependent become sick and require time off later in the year.
Ryan warns that not taking vacations can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and worse employee performance.
Research going back to the 1950s shows that working more than 40 hours per week leads to decreased productivity and increased errors.
Ryan believes that Americans are at a tipping point, where they are starting to re-evaluate their work-life balance and prioritize their well-being.
As a result, more people may begin to take mini-vacations or even extended vacations to improve their work performance and overall happiness.
