Actually, it’s their fault.
Move over ‘quiet quitting’, there’s a new way for stressed employees to relax and recharge. It’s called “quiet vacationing” and it’s all about taking time off work without informing your supervisor.
The latest ‘quiet’ workplace phenomenon is quiet vacationing, where personnel are taking control of their work-life balance. When they feel like they can’t completely step away for a week or two, they simply build in downtime breaks for themselves and make it appear as if they’re fully online and working diligently. They do not ask for or submit formal requests for personal time off.
The pursuit of good health and happiness is a top priority for many of us. It affects almost every aspect of how we think, feel and act. For this reason, it’s easy to understand why quiet vacationing practices have become a popular tool for finding presence of mind. Those who do it usually don’t let their work suffer simply because they’re on a hushed getaway. They’re able to get things done just as efficiently as if they were at home without any hassle; and for them, that’s the best part.
@capturethis__ Let the millenials vacation in peace – keep it down🤫 #quietvacationing #millenials #quietvacation #paidtimeoff #corporate #corporatemillennial #work #managersbelike #manager #leadership ♬ original sound – Tati 🫶🏾Workplace Psychology
The trend might be a sign of longstanding issues with vacation policies in the United States. Unlike many developed countries, the US doesn’t legally require a minimum number of paid days off, but in other nations with similar workforces, employees are guaranteed a certain amount of time off by law. For example, in the European Union, they are guaranteed 20 paid vacation days.
Nevertheless, some might argue that even if American workers love their jobs, they are only taking what they aren’t given just to get some rest. But, if we dig deeper, the quiet vacationing trend reveals another problem that’s seriously impacting America’s corporate culture.
‘Quiet working’ is to blame for quiet vacationing.
On average, companies in the US give their employees about 10 days off each year. These days can be used for vacation, sick leave or personal time, but according to data analysis conducted by Expert Beacon, a staggering 55% of those days go unused every year. They say that there are many reasons why this happens, but it seems the pressures of the modern workplace are mostly to blame. With remote and hybrid schedules becoming the norm, employees feel the weight of constantly having to perform, so they’re never able to fully disconnect. In fact, the data also reveals that almost 50% of employees don’t feel comfortable taking time off. And even when they do, they still feel the need to be available. As a result, they end up dialing into meetings and checking emails while they’re supposed to be on vacation or taking a break.
@ijokebutidontplay Ranting 😭 and clearing my drafts #fypシ゚viral #foryou #corporatelife ♬ original sound – iJokeButiDefDon’tPlay🥲
Experts say it’s clear that many employees feel under-supported when it comes to taking time off. Karyn Rhodes, VP of HR Services at isolved, a cloud-based human capital management software platform (they help businesses manage their employees and perform HR tasks) says that these new work models contribute to the squeeze of workplace demands.
“Over the last year, many employees were expected to take on the additional workloads amidst layoffs and hiring slowdowns with 58% reporting their organization requested they take on extra responsibilities,” she tells Forbes. “This growing workload, in addition to the sustained pressure to perform effectively, leads to feelings of stress, frustration and ultimate burnout for most employees.”
If you want your team to stop vacationing at work, then it’s time to stop working on vacation.
Rhodes also notes that a company’s culture goes beyond what’s written in their employee handbooks. It’s influenced by the actions and behaviors of its leaders, and junior staff often look to their superiors for guidance. When a boss is supposed to be on vacation but still dials into meetings, responds to emails or shows up at the office – even for a brief moment – it sends a message that taking a real break isn’t a priority or encouraged. This can create an environment where employees are reluctant to use their limited vacation time for actual relaxation. Alternatively, they find themselves taking vacations while pretending to be hard at work.
@agentlaperla I have questions about quiet vacationing
♬ original sound – AgentLaPerla
Mental health experts say that the pandemic really shook things up for us, especially in terms of how we perceive work and our way of life, and the old mentality of working just to survive is fading away. So instead of criticizing and shaming this shift, employers should embrace it wholeheartedly. Surely communication and consistent messaging are important, but it truly resonates when managers can lead by example.
When leaders take the time to unwind and disconnect from work, it demonstrates real trust in their team’s abilities.
It also makes it easier for the team to admit when they need a breather, too.
