Korn Ferry Executive Survey Reveals Vacation Trepidation

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-67 Percent of Executives Have Postponed or Canceled Vacation Plans Due to Demands at Work-

-73 Percent of Executives Cite “Too Much Work” as Primary Concern-

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- According to the latest Korn Ferry Executive Survey, many executives say they are just too busy to take a vacation.

Of the more than 400 executives surveyed by Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY), the preeminent authority on leadership and talent, 67 percent say they have postponed or canceled vacation plans in the past year due to demands at work. While 83 percent indicated they would take some vacation time this year, the majority (57 percent) did not expect to use all of their available vacation days.

“Today’s executives are under constant pressure to drive growth, hit deadlines, and deliver on the expectations of various stakeholders,” said Kevin Cashman, Senior Partner at Korn Ferry. “The irony is that individuals who take time off are shown to be more productive, have higher morale, and are less likely to make critical mistakes.”

Executives overwhelmingly (72 percent) noted “too much work to do” and an “increased workload upon return” as the primary concern in stepping away from the office on vacation. Tellingly, when executives do take a vacation, most are not able to completely disconnect from the office, with 50 percent connecting with work “multiple times a day.”

Survey results were conducted from May 12 to May 19, 2015. Results are highlighted below.

Do you plan to take a vacation/vacations this year?
Yes 83%
No 17%

Did you take a vacation/vacations last year?
Yes 87%
No 13%

Have you cancelled or delayed personal vacation plans in the last year due to occupational demands/pressure to perform at work?
Yes 67%
No 33%

How often do you connect to your work while on vacation?
Multiple times a day 50%
Once a day 29%
A few times per week 9%
Once per week 6%
Hourly 1%
Never 5%

Do you plan to use all of your available vacation time in 2015?
Yes 47%
No 53%

What worries you most about leaving the office for personal time/vacation?
Delegating my responsibilities to others 18%
Too much work to do/Increased workload upon return 72%
Others at your company gaining an advantage in your absence 4%
Potential negative impact on reputation 6%

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is the preeminent authority on leadership and talent. For nearly half a century, clients have trusted us to recruit world-class leaders. Today, we are their partner in designing organizational strategy and developing their people to achieve unimaginable success. For more information, visit www.kornferry.com.

For Korn Ferry
Benjamin Rippey, (201) 484-7414
Ben@BRCCommunications.com

Source: Korn Ferry

Released May 26, 2015