Canada: Land of the vacation deprived

Canada is one of the most vacation-deprived countries in the world, still a growing number of workers aren’t taking all of the time off they’re owed.

Yet another survey shows more Canadians are taking less vacation time, even when they’re in desperate need of a break.

According to a new survey from Expedia.ca, 48 per cent of Canadians reported feeling “very vacation deprived,” up from 40 per cent a year ago.

In the survey conducted last month, 59 per cent of Canadians also feel they don’t get enough vacation time, believing they need 24 days off a year to fully recharge.

But even if they got the extra days, would they take them?

The survey says Canadians are taking an average of 15 vacation days this year, down from 17 days last year. What’s more, 18 per cent of respondents don’t plan to take their allotted vacation days this year. Thirteen per cent will take less time off, up from nine per cent last year.

"Vacation deprivation is clearly on the rise," said Sean Shannon, managing director of Expedia Canada, which is obviously promoting its travel booking website as a solution.

It’s the latest in a growing number of reports showing Canadians don’t know how to relax.

TD Bank commissioned a survey earlier this year showing 43 per cent of Canadian don’t take all of their vacation, blaming a busy work schedule, costs and the extra energy it takes to plan a trip – only to come back home to more work.

"Going on vacation is not time or money wasted, it's an investment in our health, our peace of mind, our relationships and, in the long run, our productivity,” said Hellen Buttigieg, life coach and founder of We Organize U. “It’s important we don't lose sight of the reason why we are working so hard.”

Staffing agency Robert Half released a survey last month showing 26 per cent of workers don’t plan to take all of their vacation, saying they don’t want to fall behind at work, are saving up the days for when they’re needed, or simply don’t like to take time off. People in Western Canada were less likely to use all of their vacation days, while those in Atlantic Canada were most likely to use them.

It’s not just the staff taking too little time off, but also the managers. Robert Half’s Office Team division also did a recent survey in which 39 per cent of senior managers said taking too little time off was “the biggest mistake they made with their last vacation.” Seventeen per cent of managers also reported not being able to take their mind off work while on holiday, while 16 per cent regretted checking in so much with the office while away.

Dr. David Posen, author of the book, Is Work Killing You?, says vacations can ease stress, lower blood pressure and help people reconnect with friends and family. It also helps us to better focus on work when we get back.

“Vacations are a prescription for health, stress relief, more energy, improved productivity and overall happiness,” Posen says.

For those that do take the time off, 93 per cent of respondents in the Expedia.ca survey reported being “relaxed and rejuvenated,” afterwards.

They also saw improvements in their work and personal lives. The survey says 87 per cent felt closer to their family after a vacation, while 78 per cent reported being more focussed on the job.

More people are finding it difficult to tune out when they’re away. The Expedia survey shows 38 per cent of respondents either regularly or constantly check work email and/or voicemail while on vacation. That’s up from 27 per cent last year.

Those with better work-life balance are willing to give up certain everyday luxuries just to get more time off.

The survey found 90 per cent of Canadians would be willing to make sacrifices for more vacation time. What would they do for one extra vacation day? Here’s what the survey found:

• 56 per cent of respondents would give up video games for a week

• 46 per cent would give up alcohol for a week

• 43 per cent would go without TV for a week

• 36 per cent would be willing to give up their mobile phone for a week -- although those under 35 are less willing to forgo their smartphones

• 36 per cent would give up coffee for a week -- however this would be a harder sacrifice for those age 55 and over