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News Release from: Chartered Management Institute | Subject: 'Destination Desk' Survey
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 June 2006
'Destination Desk' top resort in
construction
'Destination Desk' becomes the top resort for construction sector as holidays lose appeal - failure to take time off saves 3,500 million pounds a year for UK organisations.
Desk-bound UK executives in the construction sector are failing to take holidays despite acknowledging the benefits of a break from work, according to research published today by the Chartered Management Institute The survey also reveals a 'swap shop' mentality, with many executives wanting to trade annual leave for other benefits
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Nov 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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The Chartered Management Institute survey found an overwhelming majority in the construction sector (64 per cent) are not using their full holiday allowance.
Almost half (48 per cent) are losing up to two weeks holiday each year because they fail to book time off.
These findings come despite 48 per cent of construction sector respondents strongly agreeing that holidays 'recharge their batteries'.
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With 76 per cent also suggesting that a break enables them to 'cope with workplace stress' it is surprising that nearly 19 million holiday days are not taken each year - a cost benefit to UK plc of £3,507,960,000*.
The pull of desks over departure lounges is being blamed by one third (30 per cent) on a heavy workload.
Another third in the construction sector (33 per cent) are concerned that deadlines will not be met if they stop working on holiday and 21 per cent suggest that they find it hard to 'let go' of their responsibilities, but 26 per cent also claim they 'enjoy their work'.
Only a minority (1 per cent) believe lost holiday time is down to poor personal planning.
As 22 per cent of those in the construction sector carried unused holiday from one year to another, respondents were asked if they would like to swap annual leave entitlements for other benefits.
22 per cent said they were already able to exchange days off for cash and 28 per cent expressed a desire for the option to 'sell' holiday time.
1 in 4 in the sector wanted the chance to exchange holidays for flexible working programmes and 10 per cent suggested gym membership as an alternative.
Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: "Individuals clearly see the benefits of a break from work, but still appear unwilling to have a proper rest".
"In the short-term this may seem like a good idea, but the idea of 'all work and no play' is not a recipe for long-term success." The survey also reveals that although most managers in the construction sector encourage their teams to take a proper break (83 per cent), many are unable to fully relax, themselves.
One third (31 per cent) admit to checking voicemail and emails when they are on holiday and 13 per cent contact their employer by choice more than once a week.
However, it is encouraging that managers do not impose their inability to 'switch off' on colleagues, with 66 per cent claiming they never contact team members who are on holiday.
And, asked about attitudes to time off, no respondents said they did not use their full entitlement because of pressure from line managers - unlike other industry sectors.
With summer holidays approaching and a number of major events coming up, the survey also explored organisational attitudes towards people taking time off work.
Only 1 per cent of respondents said the main reason they had not used all their holiday entitlement was because of corporate culture and just 3 per cent of employers admitted they would refuse requests to watch sporting events.
23 per cent said they would arrange viewing or audio facilities in the workplace and 9 per cent said they would agree to unpaid leave.
Jo Causon adds: "Britain continues to operate a long-hours culture, but it is clear from numerous studies that that employees are not afraid to work at this level providing they feel valued and are allowed to work more flexibly".
"Companies need to sit up and address this because rigid policies may produce a culture of 'presenteeism' but do not guarantee high levels of performance." The findings in this survey highlight some of those found in an in-depth report exploring 'The Quality of Working Life' amongst the UK's management community (March 2006).
It discovered that excessive hours had a negative impact on business performance, with 58 per cent of managers admitting to being unproductive for at least 1 day each week.
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