Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and we are engaged with Alamo on this project. All opinions are 100% my own.
Working while on vacation has become an epidemic in American families. We work and work and work at our jobs. And then we work some more. Whether we punch a clock, are salaried, or self-employed, most of us put as much – or sometimes more – effort into our careers as we do in our families. Which is why it’s no surprise at all that many family trips see one or both breadwinners working while on vacation.
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Working While on Vacation – A New Trend in the Workplace
Before we get into families working while on vacation, let’s look at a few statistics from Alamo Rent A Car’s 2017 Family Vacation Survey. They do perfectly illustrate the mindset that leads to so many people being unable to relax on what should be a laid back break from the everyday grind.
Vacation Shaming
It has actually become a cultural phenomenon to shame other people for taking a vacation. In fact, millennials are far more likely to vacation shame their co-workers than non-millennials (33% vs 14%). In addition, 68% of millennials feel shame when they take the vacation time which they’ve earned. Forty-six percent of millennials even said that they feel the need to justify their vacation use to their bosses. So it’s no surprise that this age range is where we see the largest number of people working while on vacation.
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It doesn’t end there. In addition to vacation shaming and guilt, many in the workforce also put undue pressure on themselves to work while on vacation. Thirty-four percent said they do so because it feels good to know they’re needed. And twenty-six percent said they do it because their co-workers are doing it, while twenty-three percent said they want to impress their bosses. The pressure to work and work and work forever never stops.
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Breaking the Cycle of Working While on Vacation
The Scenic Route, a travel blog on Alamo Rent A Car’s website wants to change how people view vacationing. It’s unhealthy and counter-productive to not take advantage of vacation days or to work while on vacation. The Scenic Route offers travel information and guides dedicated to helping people get the most out of their vacations and learn to love down time.
If you’re guilty of working while on vacation, head over to The Scenic Route and get some inspiration for a trip AWAY from work. Fully away. Put down the smartphone and enjoy life! =)
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We have a condo in New Hampshire and my hubby works up there all the time. It’s easy for him to work and not waste PTO from there.
I think it’s crazy that people vacation shame other people. We have to recharge our batteries or we’ll just burn out and go down in a fiery inferno of crazy.
I fully appreciate the value of vacationing. Vacations allow us to get back our equilibrium and move forward in a productive, energetic way instead of just trying to get through it.
I think if I were to go on vacation I’d be leaving all work at home. I did when I went away for a few days back in April and it was a nice little recharge I needed! I cant believe people vacation shame its no ones business!
I have to admit I never seem to switch off, even if I just pop onto the computer to say hi to friends while away or check up n family there’s always a blogging related something hanging around on facebook.
This does seem to be a growing trend. We took a small vacation over the weekend and both my husband and I worked while we were out of town. A big family trip is booked during the holiday season and we have already agreed that all work will be off limits!
Making sure I get the rest and relaxation I need from a vacation is a big priority for me. I wouldn’t want to feel under pressure on my earned vacation days!
I am definitely guilty of working while taking a vacation. I just feel like I need to use my downtime.
My husband always works while on vacation and it drives me nuts! He says he does it so there isn’t so much to catch up on when he gets back, but I wish he’d just step away from work for even a few days so we can all enjoy each other’s company while on vacation.
I dream of a vacation where I don’t work in some capacity! It really is so important to unwind and just be present with my family. This story makes me realize how I must make changes.
I am so guilty as charged! We all could use a little more down time.
Wow, this is such a shame! Vacations are meant to “recharge the batteries,” and to shame someone for just taking a vacation is such bad behavior! After all, we spend hard-earned dollars and time preparing for our vacations.
I agree. I do have a hard time shutting off for vacation, but we shouldn’t feel guilty about disconnecting from our jobs.
I believe that vacation is a need more than a want. People need to recharge and unwind from time to time. For me, vacation with family helps with my productivity and a boost in energy!
I definitely agree with that. Being able to enjoy your vacation time without worry makes all the work worth it too.
I have found that I work just as much if not more while I am on vacation than when I am at home. I know that my husband has come home talking about people from his work taking vacation and it was “slowing down production.” Therefore I am assuming there is some vacation shaming going on there. I would say you are quite accurate in this post. I think something needs to change in America before we all go insane.
I’m shocked at the amount of people who don’t take their vacation time! I’m ready for a trip back to Jamaica. They have such a different, relaxed culture there!
I would grab any chance to go on vacation! I cannot believe some people even feel guilty taking a break from all the crazy work life. Whatever happened to the phrase “life work balance?”
For me, vacation is for family bonding and get together. Work is always there but we should do some rest. But anyway, your post is so inspiring instead.
I take my vacations seriously. After all, it is a vacation, a work holiday! I spend as much time as I can to recharge and relax and bond with my family. You can always find work, but you only have one family so spend those vacation days wisely.
i have always worked on vacation. being my own boss it’s hard not to. i do still try to set time aside to have fun with the family.
Vacation shaming is real this is why I left corporate America. I am a millennial but I cant live a life where I am afraid to take vacation in order to impress my boss.
I am really bad about working on vacation. That is why I like to go on cruises, I don’t have internet to do any work.
Vacation shaming is just ridiculous. The fact that people feel this shame is indicative of a corporate atmosphere that just sucks the life out of people.
I work from home. I have had to work on vacation more than once. Life doesn’t stop because I want a break.
This is a tough one. I have recently started to try to blog less while on vacation. As is I post pictures all day long because I enjoy that part of my life which is also my job, but the tedious work just has to go to the sidelines sometimes!
This is great! I was able to take some time off and it was so worth it! Great tips!!
Such a great post! Although it’s tough , but many families still wants to job to earn more money. And I agree with this.
I don’t mind checking an email here or there or maybe a call but to work most of the vacation, no way. Need to get time away to remember why you have to work. The reward of it…
I have to admit that I do work sometimes when I’m on vacation. It’s usually limited to the evenings when I get on my laptop, but I do constantly post on social media channels throughout the day.
This is why it’s better to go to a place without any signal or internet connection so that we won’t be tempted to work even on vacation. I think the guilt is something that we should learn to let go of.
It’s really important that we try as much as we can to be in the moment and focus on our vacation rather than our work especially if you have kids. I try my best to keep myself from opening my laptop whenever my husband and I are traveling.
Learning to slow down and to NOT work takes lots of practice but so good for us! We need to be role models for the kids and show them how to let it all go.