Despite working some of the longest hours in Europe, many British workers are still failing to reward themselves with a work-free holiday. Survey results from TripAdvisor’s annual Summer Trends Survey reveal that over a third (39%) of Brits check their work emails while on holiday.
On the flipside, almost half (47%) of Brits apply an exclusion zone around their work emails on holiday and refuse to check them at all. Yet the discouraging news is that this number has gone down substantially from 62% in 2010.
The number of British holidaymakers checking their emails daily has also seen an increase, with 13% logging on every day of their holiday, compared to 10% in 2010.*
“Britons are clearly struggling to switch off from work on holiday,” commented Emma O’Boyle, TripAdvisor spokesperson. “Perhaps this is indicative of job security fears, but there’s no doubt that Britons work hard for their holidays and everyone deserves some uninterrupted time off.”
“Ensure you plan and delegate properly before you leave. If you’re worried about missing something important, ask one team member to call or text you if something genuinely requires your urgent attention. That way you can enjoy your holiday and return to work feeling truly relaxed and recharged.”
Although many Brits can’t let go of work, the TripAdvisor study reveals that it’s French travellers who work the most on holiday. Only 39% of French respondents refuse to check emails on holiday, while 18% check daily.
*Survey carried out 5,512 European travellers, including 1,475 Brits, between 13th and 18th May 2011
