Sick, Tired and Faking It: Memorial Day is past, but July 4 is right around
the corner. Then, the next big holiday of the summer betokens the beginning of
fall. Most U.S. workers plan to get away for at least a brief respite sometime
this year, despite mounting workloads and pressure to improve their individual
performance. According to new research from the Kronos Workforce Institute, part
of Kronos Inc., nearly seven in 10 employees are planning vacations this summer.
The results contradict some of the findings in a similar poll conducted recently
by Yahoo HotJobs, in which 51 percent of U.S. workers blame a heavy workload
with forcing them to cancel vacation plans.
The Kronos research, which was based on responses from more than 1,000
vacation-accruing workers, found that 21 percent unhappily learned their
requested time already was granted to a co-worker. Primarily this is happening,
according to Kronos and Harris Interactive, which compiled the results, because
most companies don’t have policies regarding advance notice of vacation
requests.
However, with nearly 69 percent of employees planning summer getaways,
companies are finding it difficult to balance the needs of work-weary employees
and ever-increasing business demands. Those who can’t get approval for time off
may resort to faking sickness for a brief respite: 15 percent say anticipate
calling in sick to enjoy at least one day away from work.
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