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News Release from: Chartered Management Institute
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 June 2006
UK executives - 'no time for holidays'
Some 64% of executives in the UK's manufacturing sector are rejecting holidays in favour of spending more time in the workplace - and seek ways to 'sell' un-used holiday back to their employers.
Desk-bound UK executives in the manufacturing sector are failing to take holidays despite acknowledging the benefits of a break from work, according to research published today by the Chartered Management Institute The survey also reveals a 'swap shop' mentality, with many executives wanting to trade annual leave for other benefits
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 3 May 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Chartered Management Institute survey found an overwhelming majority in the manufacturing sector (64%) are not using their full holiday allowance.
Almost half (48%) are losing up to two weeks holiday each year because they fail to book time off.
These findings come despite 44% of manufacturing sector respondents strongly agreeing that holidays 'recharge their batteries'.
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With 71% also suggesting that a break enables them to 'cope with workplace stress' it is surprising that nearly 19 million holiday days are not taken each year - a cost benefit to 'UK plc' of GBP 3,507,960,000 (figures based on survey sample which revealed an average of 4.1 days not taken each year, the size of the UK management community (4.6 million) and the average daily rate for UK managers, which is based on the average salary of GBP 47,055 (National Management Salary Survey) and the number of days worked each year (253) on average).
The 'pull' of desks over departure lounges is being blamed by one third (31%) on a heavy workload.
One fifth in the manufacturing sector (19%) are concerned that deadlines will not be met if they stop working on holiday and 15% suggest that they find it hard to 'let go' of their responsibilities, but 24% also claim they 'enjoy their work'.
15% believe lost holiday time is down to poor personal planning.
As 28% of those in the manufacturing sector carried unused holiday from one year to another, respondents were asked if they would like to swap annual leave entitlements for other benefits.
15% said they were already able to exchange days off for cash and 20% expressed a desire for the option to 'sell' holiday time.
One in four in the sector wanted the chance to exchange holidays for flexible working programmes and 4% suggested gym membership as an alternative.
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, said: "Individuals clearly see the benefits of a break from work, but still appear unwilling to have a proper rest.
In the short-term this may seem like a good idea, but the idea of 'all work and no play' is not a recipe for long-term success." The survey also reveals that although most managers in the manufacturing sector encourage their teams to take a proper break (85 per cent), many are unable to fully relax, themselves.
28% admit to checking voicemail and 15% check work emails when they are on holiday.
21% contact their employer by choice more than once a week.
However, it is encouraging that managers do not impose their inability to 'switch off' on colleagues, with 76% claiming they never contact team members who are on holiday.
And, asked about attitudes to time off, no respondents said they did not use their full entitlement because of pressure from line managers - unlike other industry sectors.
With summer holidays approaching and a number of major events coming up, the survey also explored organisational attitudes towards people taking time off work.
Just 6% of employers admitted they would refuse requests to watch sporting events.
30% said they would arrange viewing or audio facilities in the workplace and 6% said they would agree to unpaid leave.
Causon added: "Britain continues to operate a 'long-hours' culture, but it is clear from numerous studies that that employees are not afraid to work at this level providing they feel valued and are allowed to work more flexibly.
Companies need to sit up and address this because rigid policies may produce a culture of 'presenteeism' but do not guarantee high levels of performance." The findings in this survey highlight some of those found in an in-depth report exploring 'The Quality of Working Life' amongst the UK's management community (March 2006).
It discovered that excessive hours had a negative impact on business performance, with 58% of managers admitting to being unproductive for at least one day each week.
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