麻豆影视

Skip to main content

Two-thirds of Canadians and Americans admit to working while on vacation: survey

The survey findings indicate that the recession and economic downturn have had an impact on vacation time for many working Canadians. (Photo: pexels) The survey findings indicate that the recession and economic downturn have had an impact on vacation time for many working Canadians. (Photo: pexels)
Share

A conducted by ELVTR, a U.S.-based online education platform, reveals that a majority of American and Canadian workers (68 per cent) can鈥檛 stop engaging in work-related activities during their vacations.

The study suggests that this behaviour not only sacrifices the workers much-needed downtime but also takes a toll on their mental health.

The study, which involved 2,300 workers from Canada and the U.S., found that over two-thirds of Canadian workers continue to work on vacations and 46 per cent of them struggle to switch off during their downtime.

Of those involved in the survey, 57 per cent said they feel anxious if they don鈥檛 check their work emails while away.

In the online survey, 73 per cent of working Canadians and Americans admitted to feeling guilt when working during their vacation and on the other hand, 41 per cent reported feeling guilty if they chose not to work during their time off.

According to survey findings, one in five workers were asked by their bosses or team members to check emails while on vacation while 25 per cent were bombarded with work-related text messages while they were away. Another 28 per cent expressed being bothered by work-related emails during their break, and eight per cent via socials or phone calls during their break.

鈥淎larmingly, workers are being pushed to the brink, with many sacrificing their well-deserved vacations and downtime in the name of productivity.鈥 ELVTR co-founder and CEO Roman Peskin said in a press release. 鈥淚t's high time we hit the 'pause' button on this relentless race.鈥

The survey also found the 35 per cent of employees in Canada and the U.S. experienced an implicit expectation to work during their time off and this unspoken pressure often leads to sense of guilt among 41 per cent of workers if they choose not to work. Another 45 per cent of workers stated that they upset their partners or travel companions by engaging in work-related activities during vacation.

The trend of work intrusion extends beyond workers being bothered during their own vacations as the survey found that one in four workers admitted to disturbing their vacationing colleagues by sending emails (12 per cent), texts (10 per cent), phone calls and social media (four per cent).

The survey findings indicate that the recession and economic downturn have had an impact on vacation time for many working Canadians. For instance, 37 per cent of surveyed Canadians are taking less time off, while 20 per cent are unable to take vacations at all due to understaffing following company layoffs.

Among those who choose to work while on vacation, the primary reason, as reported by 37 per cent of respondents, is the lack of someone to delegate their work to, while eight per cent said they are afraid to lose their job.

 

Methodology

Researchers from ELVTR surveyed 2,300 workers aged over 18 years old, including 1,800 from the US and 500 from Canada. The study includes all genders, ethnicities, and age groups.

 

Reporting for this story was paid for through The Afghan Journalists in Residence Project funded by Meta.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected