80% S'poreans can't escape work even on vacation

AsiaOne | Thu, Dec 01, 2011
Majority of Singaporeans just can't stop 'workcationing', said online travel agency Expedia.
A 'Vacation Deprivation' survey conducted by Expedia this year showed that 81 per cent of respondents admitted to checking-in on work while away on vacation.

Although this is slightly lesser than the 87 per cent of Japanese respondents polled, the figures are nonetheless worrying.

This is the first time Singapore is included in the study and according to it, Singapore is the most overworked nation where employees clock up an average of 44 workings hours a week.

Despite only having an average of 14 vacation days each year, many do not fully enjoy their holiday due to management pressures.

About 38 per cent of respondents said they were unsure if their bosses are supportive of them taking time off and 13 per cent of respondents were under the impression that taking a vacation would trigger negative sentiments in the workplace.

Almost half, or 42 per cent of Singaporeans surveyed said they have cancelled or postponed holiday plans due to work commitments and 10 per cent indicated that 'work is life'.

Money is not an issue

Financial considerations are not as important a factor when Singaporeans are planning for a getaway, compared to its global counterparts who cited money as the reason for not taking vacations.

Majority of respondents polled said that money, or the lack of it, was not likely to deter them from going on a holiday.

Only 13 per cent of Singaporean respondents claimed to have foregone their vacations due to limited funds and close to 40 per cent describe their financial situation as being 'solid' or 'good'.

'Lack of planning' was the biggest contributing factor to why Singaporeans fail to use up all their annual leave, and as a result over 30 per cent fail to utilise their leave days.

However, work pressures remain a major vacation impediment as close to 40 per cent reported that they are unable to plan their vacation in advance as it depends on their work schedule.

Chief Executive of AirAsiaExpedia Dan Lynn said: "It's worrying how so many Singaporeans feel that their lives revolve around work even when on a holiday. Everyone deserves a good break away to recharge and to feel re-energised.

"In fact, I personally encourage my employees to take all their vacation days to see the world."

Asia is world's most vacation-deprived region

Besides Singaporean employees, Korean and Japanese workers also receive the fewest vacation days each year.

Japanese workers cleared less than half of their eleven annual vacation days and South Korean employees left three of their 10 off days unsused.

Figures also showed that 87 per cent of Japanese respondents can't escape work and are constantly checking their email while on vacation.

India, however, scored the highest at 89 per cent of respondents claiming they check their email while on a vacation.

The Vacation Deprivation study is an annual analysis of the diverse holiday habits of travellers around the world and spans Asia, Australia, North America, Europe and South America.

It compares vacationing habits and attitudes of over 7,800 employed people across 20 countries.

klim@sph.com.sg


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