Research Overview
Taking time off is essential for strong relationships, a productive
workforce, and a fulfilled life. Yet, many Americans are forgoing time
off in favor of putting in long hours at the office. A deeper examination
reveals how much time we are wasting, what’s holding us back, and the
benefits of vacation.
THE STATE OF TIME OFF IN
AMERICA
According to the Society for Human Resource
Management, 98 percent of employers offer paid
time off or paid vacation and more than three-
THE OBSTACLES
We have become a nation of “work martyrs,” acting
as our own barriers to vacation. Two-in-five workers
(37%) conclude it is simply not easy to take time off.
• Top reasons workers say they leave vacation
quarters (78%) of American workers earn paid
unused are fear of returning to a mountain of
time off. For decades, Americans took advantage
work (40%) and the belief that nobody else can
of the time off they earned but, unfortunately, P:TO
do their job (35%).
research has revealed that times have changed.
• Americans are taking the least amount of
• The effects of a tough economy still linger: onethird (33%) of employees say they cannot afford
vacation in nearly 40 years. From 1976 to 2000,
to use their time off and nearly a quarter (22%) of
American workers used 20.3 days of vacation
workers say that they do not want to be seen as
each year. Since then, the number has dropped
replaceable.
precipitously, with workers reporting just 16.0
days used in 2013—almost a full work-week less
compared to pre-2000 levels.
• Though an overwhelming majority (96%) of
• Roughly three-in-ten (28%) employees do not use
all their time off because they believe it will show
greater dedication to their company and their
job—though the vast majority of HR managers
Americans recognize the importance of vacation,
(77%) agree that employees who use their
workers fail to use 429 million vacation days
vacation time are more productive than those
annually.
who do not.
• While many businesses offer vacation time, the
details of vacation policies vary. More than half
of employees (53.5%) are able to roll over time,
one-quarter (26.5%) are offered a “Use it or Lose
it” policy, 18.6 percent can be paid for unused
time, and another nearly 10 percent are able to
bank time for future use.
America’s Always-on Work Culture Exerts a
Powerful Influence.
• Two-thirds of American workers (67%) say their
company says nothing, sends mixed messages,
or discourages using their time off.
• Despite the fact that time off is part of employee
compensation, nearly one-third of workers (31%)
say they do not control their vacation time—the
company does.
Senior Leadership is Sending Mixed Messages to
Employees.
• One-third (33%) of senior business leaders
state they never (19%) or rarely (14%) talk with
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of employees say
their concentration and productivity improve
with time off, and 61 percent report greater
satisfaction at work.
• Senior business leaders also agree that time off
from work delivers benefits to their employees
and companies: 91 percent believe employees
return from vacation recharged and renewed—
and ready to work more effectively.
THE COST
As work martyrs, Americans are leaving more time
off unused each year, forfeiting their earned benefits
and, in essence, working for free.
employees about the benefits of taking time off,
• The average American earns 21 days of time off
despite the fact that 95 percent of them believe
each year but uses only 77 percent of that time,
it’s important.
permanently forfeiting 4.9 days, a combined 169
• When taking time off, many senior business
million days of earned time off.
leaders have a hard time unplugging; only a third
• The cost of forgoing time off totals $52 billion in
(37%) can get away from work completely. Nearly
forfeited benefits across the workforce. That’s
half (46%) respond to emails and roughly three-
more than the total wage and salary income of
in-ten (29%) return work calls during vacation,
several U.S. states, including Nevada, Arkansas,
sending the signal that it is never okay to be
Mississippi, and New Mexico.
away from the job.
• Employers carry unused vacation days as a
THE BENEFITS
liability on their balance sheets. This liability
Despite reluctance to take time off, American
billion in accumulated vacation time across the
workers understand its benefits.
private sector.
• Most American workers believe time off helps
them relax and recharge (90%), offers the
opportunity to do what they enjoy (88%), and
makes them happier (85%).
• The majority of employees say that taking time
off gives them the opportunity to engage in
activities that they enjoy (88%) and strengthens
bonds with their family and friends (79%).
• Employees and managers alike believe time off
steadily accrues, year after year, totaling $224
• Research Suggests No Link Between More Time
at the Office and Getting a Raise or Bonus.
• Employees who left 11-15 days off unused
were actually less likely, by 6.5 percent, to have
received a raise or bonus in the past three years
than those who used all of their time off.
• There is also a clear correlation between
workers who have more unused vacation
days and those who reported feeling “very” or
is positive for mental (61% and 76%, respectively)
“extremely” stressed at work, particularly for
and physical health (55% and 67%, respectively).
those employees who leave more than 11 days
unused.
THE OPPORTUNITY
ABOUT PROJECT: TIME OFF
The benefits of time off extend beyond the individual
Project: Time Off is a research-driven initiative to
employee or company.
prove the personal, business, social, and economic
• Using the 429 million days of time off would
benefits that taking earned time off can deliver.
deliver a $160 billion jolt to the U.S. economy,
We aim to shift culture so that using personal time
create 1.2 million new American jobs, and
off is not considered frivolous, but essential to
generate $21 billion in federal, state, and local
strengthening relationships and improving personal
revenues.
health, a business investment with proven returns,
• Encouraging workers to use just one more day
and an economic necessity.
each year would generate $73 billion annually for
our economy.
IT’S TIME FOR AMERICA TO TACKLE
AND EXPERIENCE THE UPSIDE OF DOWNTIME.
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