Cutting vacation may save UK workers money at the cost of increased stress

Wednesday, 03 August 2011 16:00

News - Workplace Stress

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Workers in the UK are cutting holidays and vacations, a study by international health insurance company Bupa indicates. The research, performed by YouGov, indicates that 42 percent of workers have no plans to get away for a week or longer. People who planned holidays of a week or more were 10 percent more likely to report themselves as "fairly" or "very" healthy.

Almost 20 percent of those who are leaving feel guilty about it, and many reported that they would be checking personal emails or even thinking about work while gone.

"While people may be aware that taking time out from their day-to-day responsibilities is important in maintaining physical and mental health...money and work worries mean many people are not prioritizing the need to relax," said Jenny Leeser, Bupa's clinical director of occupational health.

She also indicated that workers who did not have time to rest may have difficulty handling everyday work pressures and workplace stress, possibly risking a decrease in employee performance and health.

The research determined that over half of workers are experiencing more stress than last year, and significant percentages responded that their mental well-being, the health of their eating habits and their ability to cope with stress were improved by vacation.