Working or Relaxing? Korn Ferry Survey Shows Execs Have a Hard Time Unplugging from the Office During Vacation

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More than Half Say They’ve Argued with Spouse Over Working During Vacation

One-Third Say They Work During Vacation Because They “Enjoy It”

Eighty-One Percent Say They’ve Cut Short or Cancelled Vacation Due to Work Pressures

Nearly All (97 Percent) Say They Are Connected to Work on Vacation

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the summer vacation season kicks into high gear, a new global survey by Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY), the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm, shows that for many executives, working is the new relaxing.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents say that during vacation, they check in with the office at least once a day, with a third saying they connect multiple times a day. This apparently does not bode well for their relationships, as 54 percent say they have had disagreements with their spouses about working when they are supposed to be on holiday.

While 46 percent say they are connected to work because they get pulled into critical issues or need to put out fires, 35 percent say they work on holiday because “they enjoy it.”

“For most executives operating at today’s breakneck pace, balancing careers, family and personal time is a tightrope act. While the lines between beach time and business are increasingly blurred, it’s critical that professionals find a way to step away and follow their passions or enjoy time with family and friends,” said Mark Royal, Senior Principal, Korn Ferry Hay Group. “Organizations also benefit, as people who take time off are shown to be more productive, more engaged and less likely to make critical mistakes.”

While 88 percent of executives say they plan on taking a vacation that is at least one full week long, 81 percent say they have cut short, delayed or cancelled a vacation due to work pressures. When they are able to take a few days off – 97 percent of executives say they still connect to work.

In addition, 65 percent of executives say they do not plan on using all of their vacation time in the coming year.

About the Study
Korn Ferry conducted the global survey of 1,033 executives in June 2016. Following are the responses:

While on vacation, how often do you connect to work?

 
Multiple times a day   33 percent
 
Once a day 38 percent
 
A few times per week 19 percent
 
Once a week 6 percent
 
Hourly 1 percent
 
Never 3 percent
 
 

Have you ever had a disagreement with your spouse about being too connected to work while on vacation?

 
Yes 54 percent
 
No 46 percent
 
 

If you work while on vacation what is the primary reason for doing so?

 
Too much work to do/Increased workload upon return 15 percent
 
Putting out Fires: I get pulled into critical issues 46 percent
 
I enjoy it 35 percent
 
I worry people will make wrong decisions without my input 3 percent
 
I’m afraid others will get assignments that I should get 1 percent
 
 

After returning to work from vacation, how long does it typically take you to “get back into the swing of things?”

 
No time 31 percent
 
One day 52 percent
 
One week 15 percent
 
Two weeks 1 percent
 
More than a month 0 percent
 
Never, I got back and quit 1 percent
 
 

Do you plan to use all of your available vacation time in 2016?

 
Yes 35 percent
 
No 65 percent
 
 

Do you plan to take a vacation that is at least one week long this year?

 
 
Yes 88 percent
 
No 12 percent
 
 

Have you cancelled/delayed/cut short personal vacation plans due to occupational demands/pressure to perform at work?

 
 
Yes 81 percent
 
No 19 percent
 

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is the preeminent global people and organizational advisory firm. We help leaders, organizations, and societies succeed by releasing the full power and potential of people. Our nearly 7,000 colleagues deliver services through our Executive Search, Hay Group and Futurestep divisions. Visit kornferry.com for more information.

Korn Ferry
Tracy Kurschner, 612.309.3957
Tracy.Kurschner@kornferry.com

Source: Korn Ferry

Released June 16, 2016