A recent survey sponsored by Oxford Health Plans Inc. in New York, found U.S. workers don't take advantage of their vacation time, despite the fact that it can benefit their health. The Wellness in the Workplace national survey of 632 workers determined 18 percent are unable to use up annual vacation time due to job demands. Most surveyed say they don't go on vacation because they can't find the time or have too much work to do.
Some respondents describe their workday as nonstop.
17 percent say their work often causes them to lose sleep at night. The findings show a workforce that may be too stressed as a result of constant work. This survey is a wake up call for Americans to realize that taking a vacation is not frivolous behavior. Despite having fewer vacation days than other industrialized countries, U.S. employees still don't take them. According to the World Tourism Organization, the annual vacation days in Italy total 42, and in France 37, but U.S. workers have only 13 vacation days, about half of Japan's and South Korea's 25. - Jennifer L. Gatewood Read other Human Resource Executive magazine stories from our archive.