Benefits August 6, 2010

Only Two-Thirds of Employees Use All Vacation

August 6, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Only two-thirds of employees globally use all the vacation days they are given by their organizations, according to a joint Reuters/Ipsos survey.
Reported by

Reuters reports that the survey of about 12,500 people in 24 countries found French employees are the most likely to take advantage of the days granted, with 89% using up all of their days. They are followed by Argentinians (80%), Hungarians (78%), and Britons (77%).  

Japanese workers are the least likely to use all their vacations days. Only 33% would take off all the time given.  

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According to Reuters, there appeared to be virtually no difference in terms of demographics when it came to taking leave, with about two-thirds of high- and low-income earners taking all the days available. Slightly more younger people take all their leave than people over age 50.  

“But there was a slight (difference) as business owners and senior executive/decision leaders at 60% are the least likely to use up all of the holidays granted them,” said John Wright, senior vice president of global market and opinion research firm Ipsos, in the reprort.  

The percentage of workers most likely to use all leave for other countries is: 

  • Spain – 77% 
  • Saudi Arabia – 76% 
  • Germany – 75% 
  • Belgium – 74% 
  • Turkey – 74% 
  • Indonesia – 70% 
  • Mexico – 67% 
  • Russia – 67% 
  • Italy – 66% 
  • Poland – 66% 
  • China – 65% 
  • Sweden – 63% 
  • Brazil – 59% 
  • India – 59% 
  • Canada – 58% 
  • United States – 57% 
  • South Korea – 53% 
  • Australia – 47% 
  • South Africa – 47% 

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