Vacation Deprivation is term to describe a very serious physical, mental and/or emotional toll that results from not taking enough vacation. Over the past few weeks, we looked a little further into this condition with the hope of showing just how important it is to take a vacation. So far, we’ve learned about Vacation Deprivation in general – what it is and how it occurs. We also discovered how Vacation Deprivation affects our health. Unfortunately, it isn't just our health that is negatively impacted. It turns out that working more is actually not good for business. Here are a few ways that Vacation Deprivation affects your work productivity.
Attitude Towards Your Job, Company, and Co-Workers
High work demand leads to stress and strain that tends to give employees a negative attitude to their job, their company, and sometimes even their co-workers. This stress is often referred to as "burn out." Vacations are the best way to combat a burnt out employee but employees have to be given the opportunity to feel like vacation is something they can, and should do. Says Barbara Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina, “Vacation builds positive mood, crowds out negative experiences/thoughts and “undoes” the physical and mental effects of stress.”
Employers who give generous vacation benefits or even require employees to take at least two (2) weeks of vacation report a more positive work atmosphere and many studies have shown that employees who use all of their allotted vacation days were more satisfied with their job and their company overall. In fact, the Expedia Vacation Deprivation study showed that 85% of employees stated they were happier once they returned from a vacation and 82% also said that they are more patient with their colleagues and clients. Another study conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) found that vacations were great for the work place because employees who took vacations had better office morale and higher job satisfaction.
According to Take Back Your Time, 9 out of 10 Americans say their happiest moments come from vacation and 71% of vacationers are satisfied at work while only 46% of non-vacationers are satisfied at work. The correlation is easy enough to understand... happier in life, happier at work. Considering it is estimated to cost up to $8,000 to replace a $40,000-salaried employee and up to 2x the annual salary for a high-level executive, employers should place high value employee satisfaction and understand the important role vacation plays in employee retention rates. In the end, it’s much more cost efficient and beneficial to provide vacation days than it is to replace employees or deal with burnt out, unsatisfied workers. From entry level to executive level employees, no one wants to work at a job with a negative atmosphere.
Creativity, Mistakes, and Overall Performance
Not only do vacations keep workers amicable and happy but vacations are key to decreasing mistakes, boosting creativity and increasing overall job performance. Businessweek reported that vacation deprivation can easily increase mistakes in the work place typically due to distraction, fatique or lack of willingness to perform at 100%. The European Agency for Health and Safety at Work conducted a study that suggested over $2,500 dollars is wasted per employee every year due to stress. Stressed, tired, and unhappy employees are generally less productive, have higher medical costs, and are more likely to call in absent.
On the other hand, well-rested, satisfied and happy employees have more energy and work at a faster pace. In fact, one accounting firm conducted a study and found that for every 10 hours of vacation employees took, their year end performance ratings increased up to 8%. Another study conducted by Alertness Solutions found that reaction times in employees returning from vacationers increased up to 40%. The recharged feeling people get from time away from the office is easily brought back to the office as employees feel more engaged in their work, directly benefiting employers. One Gallup Poll on employee engagement even found that engaged employees (that is more involved, more efficient and more energetic employees), are 28% more productive after vacation.
Not only do vacations help avoid burnout but research published in the book “The Creativity Challenge” shows that being exposed to new ideas and cultures boosts worker creativity. Since workers tend to specialize in one field, they may have limited opportunity to explore other interests but vacation allows workers to engage in new activities not related to their jobs. This boost in creativity can help creative problem solving at work by helping you apply newly learned skillsets to challenges in your current job. Plus, the health benefits we get from vacation can help us achieve work goals and work more efficiently with a renewed sense of work ethic.
Don't Wait Any Longer To Schedule Your Vacation
What are you waiting for? Avoid burnout, get a creativity boost, and renew your passion for your work. It's good for your health, it's good for your company, and it's going to make you a more productive employee. Sounds like a win-win situation! Find your dream vacation home and start planning your getaway to the Outer Banks today.
