Work-Life Imbalance

“Quiet vacations” have been in the news – people being present at work physically only. But the converse is a problem as well. A survey of almost 3000 workers published in August found that 7 in 10 work during their scheduled vacations – but that they are also over twice as likely to take a “quiet vacation day” while at work. This speaks to a problem with work-life balance. About one-third plan to work while on vacations (particularly those in leadership positions), but just under half end up working while on vacation, even though they do not plan to do so. The survey indicated that younger workers are more likely to be part of this latter group, but they also state that their managers make them feel guilty about taking vacations. Workers who do take planned time off worry about the workload waiting for them when they return.

One key is for managers to be able to establish good work-life balance for themselves; they are then in a position to pass that knowledge to their employees – without making them feel guilty.