Bosses vacationing more than workers
(Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com)
This one may rub some hard-working souls the wrong way.
While many workers struggle to find the time, and money, to take vacations, their bosses appear to have a lot less trouble, according to CareerBuilder.com.
The employment service said 81 percent of managers have taken or plan to take a vacation this year, compared with 65 percent of full-time employees.
It’s the first year CareerBuilder compared the vacation plans of managers and workers.
Last year, 61 percent of full-time workers took or planned to take vacations, which means slightly more are taking a break this year, but the results are still down from 80 percent who took vacations in 2007.
“Managers may be more likely to afford vacations, but they should still be encouraging their employees to use paid time off, even if they are staying close to home,” said Rosemary Haefner, the employment service’s vice president of human resources.
Haefner said workers who use their accumulated time off are less likely to burn out, especially those who have heavy workloads. She said taking a few days off, even if you don’t go anywhere, “can have a very positive impact on your health and happiness.”
Maybe it’s a sign of a somewhat stronger economy, but 19 percent say they can’t afford a vacation this year, an improvement from the 24 percent who couldn’t last year.
CareerBuilder surveyed among more than 5,000 full-time workers and more than 2,000 managers from Feb. 9 to March 2.
Among the other findings:
Thirty percent of employees say they’ll contact work while on vacation, up from 25 percent last year. More than a third of managers say they expect their workers to check in, mainly if the worker is involved in a big project.
Fifteen percent of workers gave up vacation days because they didn’t have time to use them.
Twenty-three percent of workers said they once had to work while their family went on vacation.
Fewer people are taking vacations that are 10 days or longer.
Question: Is it the boss’ fault that workers don’t take the time they’ve accumulated?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
88 comments Add your comment
Bhorsoft
June 21st, 2012
11:20 am
Sometimes. With less workers doing more work it is almost impossible to take even a full week off without it affecting your job. A day or two here and there is acceptable, but taking a week is often frowned on.
Call Me A Biscuit
June 21st, 2012
11:47 am
Well, duh. Bosses get to be bosses generally because they have been working at a place longer and, when you work at a place longer, you are eligible for more vacation time. Why is this even a news story?
Cutty
June 21st, 2012
11:55 am
Call Me is probably a boss because he doesn’t have clue. CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and managers come and go. Normally its the line worker that has been with a company longer.
Ed
June 21st, 2012
11:56 am
Wow. What a headline. Accusing bosses of not being workers. Bosses work. Bosses have a greater responsibility. Bosses get paid more BECAUSE of the greater responsibility. They WORK and it’s usually their decisions that make or break the business. Pitting the worker against their boss has always been an easy way to fire up the masses for the gain of special interests.
Nothing like trying to stir the pot for page views and quite possibly help push the liberal agenda that the AJC is known for peddling.
If any worker, bosses or not have time on the books but don’t use the time… it is THEIR own fault.
Agree!
June 21st, 2012
12:01 pm
I agree with Biscuit and Ed. This article seems to be trying to fuel reader anger. I’m not a boss now, but have been and I considered myself a hard worker in both cases. Vacation comes with tenure and often bosses have been at companies quite awhile. I have lost vacation in some years and it was my fault for not planning earlier and thinking I was indispensable! People need to take their vacation for their own sanity!
AJC is Boring Today
June 21st, 2012
12:03 pm
This is a better news story than the cheerleader who transferred to GA Tech…snooze fest today AJC pick it up.
Duh. Winning!
June 21st, 2012
12:09 pm
Why would a lowly worker get to vacation as much as his or her boss? The idea is ludicrous. You work hard to become the boss and then you take a vacation. 1 +1 = 4. Duh. Winning!
American Girl with Muscle
June 21st, 2012
12:19 pm
Maybe because the lowly worker has been here 5 times as long but due to buy-outs and acquisitions has been pushed down on the ladder more times than she can count.
American Girl with Muscle
June 21st, 2012
12:20 pm
While people who know NOTHING about her job get put in to be her “boss.”
I am grateful to still have a job, but that’s the situation I’ve been in for 5+ years now.
John
June 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
My team is the exact opposite. I typically take full weeks as I earn them – I was out on a beach trip last month, I’ve got a cruise scheduled in Jan already – and my Lead takes even single days usually as he earns them. (Our other office mate has kids and typically takes yearly, but longer, vacations.)
Our boss? The guy seems to work 20 hrs a day, 7 days a week. When he actually took a week “off” (apparently because his wife demanded they take the kids somewhere for spring break) he took his droid, tablet, and laptop, and was STILL apparently working at LEAST 6 hrs per day *even at the beach*.
Our team puts out quite a bit, and our boss has FAR more on his shoulders than even we do… but honestly, we worry about the guy. True vacations – where the work STAYS at the office, and you stay as far AWAY from the office as possible – truly do prevent burnout, and make for longer lasting, happier employees. Our boss sees that for us. Wish he saw it for himself as well.
Jealous Much Christopher Seward?
June 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
Sounds like Christopher Seward got his vacation request denied…
Like a Boss
June 21st, 2012
12:35 pm
I love being able to read this on my iPhone here in Belize. I think I’ll stay another week. The rest of you, get back to work.
Really Sweet
June 21st, 2012
12:44 pm
Only fat people and other assorted losers like the elderly go on cruises.
Big Al
June 21st, 2012
12:46 pm
My boss never takes a vacation. He is only absent when either he or one of his kids is sick. I take short vacations/long weekends several times a year.
Fred ™
June 21st, 2012
12:52 pm
John@ 12:29: I wish you worked for my wife and would tell HER the same thing you just wrote.
My reaction on reading this story was, it doesn’t work that way in my house………….
Eric
June 21st, 2012
12:58 pm
My boss definitely takes her vacation days. Often she will come in late and leave early. I take long weekends most of the time when using my vacation time. But a good example of my boss was last week. I was running late coming into the office and met my boss in the elevator coming into work herself. She actually had the nerve to tell me I need to be more aware of coming in late because I’m a manager, when she was coming in late herself. I actually laughed out loud, that didn’t go over well. I’m typically never late, and I had already left a voice mail saying I was running late, if she had been on time, she would have gotten it. But that is the problem at a lot of companies. The person above you feels like they can do whatever they want, yet demand that you adhere to a different set of rules. I have a feeling that when this economy turns around, a lot of companies are going to lose quality workers because of the way they treated them during the lean times. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally cool with working longer hours and doing my share to help out, but when your boss takes a dump on you daily, it gets old. When greener pastures arrive, you can bet I’ll be looking elsewhere.
ILOVEMYJOB and I TAKE VACATIONS
June 21st, 2012
1:13 pm
WOW Really Sweet…Fat People and Old People Are Losers….hope u never live to get old…*returns to packing for cruise*
RedandBlack Peachy
June 21st, 2012
1:15 pm
I work for one of the big two telecommunications company and taking time off (which considering what other companies offer, is generous) and using all days allotted is a big thing that is often mentioned from our CEO down during townhalls, email communications, etc. I, unfortunately, am one of the crazies that actually works a few hours of the day during vacation and almost always accessible by phone (trying to do better). When I truly want downtime I take a cruise as that makes my accessibility almost nonexistent. I have lost time in the past and that does me no favor and shows my staff that I distrust them so much I can’t be away for a second (which isn’t true). We are doing more things with less people which is why our company stresses taking time off. It is the value system of the work environment.
Briniqua
June 21st, 2012
1:36 pm
Vacation means different things to different people. For me a week sitting on a beach or floating around on a cruise ship is a waste of time. I generally use my vacation days piecemeal for errands, yard work, productive activities.
I am a manager but I receive no extra vacation days, everyone earns the same number of days based on length of employment.
Do As I Say And Not...well you know the sayin
June 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
I have to agree with Eric here. Those of you praising your hardworking boss? Newsflash…THAT’s the exception – not the rule. I’ve worked for Fortune 500’s in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Believe me…the hotdog at the top feels entitlement to set his own hours while berating those who show up late, leave early or take extended lunch hours. Quiet often, workers are expected to work through lunch for afternoon meetings while the big cheese leisurely takes his hours plus long lunch and dares to “expense” it because he simply “mentions” work while eating. Been there. Seen it.
Atlanta Girl
June 21st, 2012
1:45 pm
You think???? Actually, our office is less stressful when the boss is on vacation. There is increase in productivity, less micro managing, and peaceful environment.
Who is John Galt?
June 21st, 2012
1:46 pm
Vacations are for the weak. Taking time off exposes people for the lazy, stupid cowards they are and always will be. I work no less than 150 hours a week, stopping ONLY to use the restroom, eat, power-nap, and post comments on blogs. I guarantee I make 100 times more money than all of you, so stop trying to take what’s MINE because YOU are a FAILURE!!!
slate
June 21st, 2012
1:51 pm
Checking out ajc from bahamas. this is why we are bosses..
T
June 21st, 2012
1:51 pm
You know what think when my boss takes a vacation? I think that i) my boss has earned it and ii) I need to work harder for promotions to get to where my boss is at so I too can take vacations like that.
Why is this a story?
Roberto
June 21st, 2012
1:52 pm
Our boss has the nice cars, takes fancy vacations, never tells us if he is coming to work or not, makes us look like fools to HIS customers…Oh wait…he messed up. His next vacation is going to be in Reidsville at The Big Crossbar Hotel. See ya in about 15!
Nair
June 21st, 2012
1:55 pm
American Girl With Mustache: You seem a little bitter today.
Jenn
June 21st, 2012
1:59 pm
I’ve never taken a full week off from work. These days I’m afraid I won’t have job when I get back.
Do As I Say And Not...well you know the sayin
June 21st, 2012
2:04 pm
Roberto…the nice cars are paid for by the company. He gets a car allowance on top of free automobile insurance, oil changes and gas – all part of his…uh-hem…”compensation”. Executives are a spoiled bunch who keep all the money to themselves. That’s why corporations aren’t hiring. They refuse to pay out an extra million and hire more file and ranks which would ease the workload on the underlings and help the unemployment lines. Why, you ask? Well that means that the spoiled rich guy would have to give up his million dollar bonus. Forget he already earns $2-3 million in salary, compensation, stocks, options, car allowance, meal paid expense accounts. It’s all about greed.
contrarian
June 21st, 2012
2:05 pm
I think we’re getting good insight as to why we’re experiencing such a sorry state of affairs for America’s working class. The respondents here seem to be in agreement that bosses deserve the extra respite and the article is nothing but Liberal propaganda, even going so far as to claim the AJC is saying that bosses don’t actually work. It shows how far the cause of fair labor has fallen. It’s no wonder the gap is ever-increasing.
kwn
June 21st, 2012
2:05 pm
The article should have compared the total number of hours worked by the boss compared to others. I guarantee you that on average the boss is putting in a LOT more hours. The angle of the article is that the bosses are lazy or undeserving.
Ron Mexico
June 21st, 2012
2:11 pm
I’m outraged! I bet they get paid more than their employees too!
Tired
June 21st, 2012
2:13 pm
I totally agree with Eric…once the economy turns around, good employees will start jumping ship. I deal with 2 BAD bosses, both take their vacation time as well as leave at least 2 hours early EVERY day…dumping work in my lap. I am suppose to get 2 weeks every year. Yet every time I put in for time off I am grilled about how much work I have to do and I don’t have time for time off. They have even cancelled my vacation at the last minute because THEY didn’t want to do something and dumped it on me. Oh yeah, been here almost 4 years with NO raise or benefits and the 2 of them live in million dollar homes, one just bout theirs a month ago. I am looking, but have not found anything close to where I live yet. I will have to use a vacation day if I were to get an interview, same as I do for doctor/dentist appointment. I am not allowed to come in an hour late because of doctor appointment. (I am also never out sick!!)
Chuck Snow
June 21st, 2012
2:13 pm
It appears that whining has not gone out of style. If it were as easy being boss as some of you say you’d all be “BOSS”. If you’d tell your boss how you feel I’m sure he’d give you suffient time off to cure your whining. The greener Pastures that some of you mentioned you should just forget and remind yourself that your present employment was once one of those greener pastures. If whining was an Olympic sport we’d have plenty of gold medalists right here.
I'm a baller... shot caller
June 21st, 2012
2:35 pm
I’m my own boss… And take multiple trips annually and don’t feel guilty about it. I worked for a company 12 years and hated taking time off because of making up the work when I got back. I really am fortunate to be self employed now and wish I had made the jump 5 years earlier than I did.
Do As I Say And Not...well you know the sayin
June 21st, 2012
2:39 pm
Really Snow-Job? Current employment is ONE of those greener pastures? No – some of these current jobs are the result of being laid of by another and taking ANYTHING that is available. Unfortunately, rank and files everywhere are experiencing this. The ONLY people unaffected by the downturn of the economy are the bosses. You know. The 1%.
Roberto
June 21st, 2012
2:42 pm
@ Do as I say….
Not anymore. At least not in our case. He screwed up.
Reidsville, GA is where they send violent criminals to. That is where he’s headed. Really.
Greed isn’t what got him. It was a case of “my balls are bigger than yours”.
Do As I Say And Not...well you know the sayin
June 21st, 2012
2:46 pm
@ Roberto….nice to hear. One evil boss down, another million to go!
Why?
June 21st, 2012
2:54 pm
After reading these comments I feel fortunate to be at my company. I am able to use my vacation any time I want and have my co-workers cover for me (same goes for them when they take vacation). Though I will check my email maybe once a day just to make sure nothing urgent came up.
CaptainDave
June 21st, 2012
3:21 pm
No mention that salaried employees often simply lose unused vacation time while hourly employees have the incentive of accruing a nice year-end bonus of unused vacation pay?
I guess the class warfare perspective creates a better angle for reporting.
Why Waste Time
June 21st, 2012
3:26 pm
I bet most that hate their bosses hate them bc their boss makes them do their job.
Also, anybody with a brain knows bosses and big wigs get more perks than the people they over see. This is how it has always been in our lovely world of corporate America. Let’s stop acting like this is something new. My suggestion is work harder to become a boss and stop coming up with excuses of why you aren’t one.
Cammi317
June 21st, 2012
3:40 pm
My boss is on her 3rd vacation of the year (she usually takes about 10 days at a time), but I don’t mind. It’s like a vacation to me when I can work at my leisure and don’t feel like I have to “look” busy in the office, every second of the day. She has atleast 2 more vacations planned before the year ends. I also have taken a week off recently and will probably take a couple of 4 day weekends before the summer is out.
Former Corporate Slave
June 21st, 2012
3:47 pm
This is true. I worked for a Fortune 500 in Suwanee. We had an older Executive VP who was on wife Number 2 and family number 2. He divorced his first family where the kids were now grown and married his secretary. The guy came in to work only 1-2 days a week. The rest of the time he was at home or on the golf course. He made three-quarters of a million in salary/bonus but did no work. The reason? He had been at the company for years and corporate felt he had “earned” this perk of being paid to do nothing. They figured he would retire in a few years anyway. So they kept him around. So while thou dost protest too much, makes me wonder how many of you “bosses” are spinning the facts to cover your own lucrative greed.
Former Corporate Slave
June 21st, 2012
3:47 pm
This is true. I worked for a Fortune 500 in Suwanee. We had an older Executive VP who was on wife Number 2 and family number 2. He divorced his first family where the kids were now grown and married his secretary. The guy came in to work only 1-2 days a week. The rest of the time he was at home or on the golf course. He made three-quarters of a million in salary/bonus but did no work. The reason? He had been at the company for years and corporate felt he had “earned” this perk of being paid to do nothing. They figured he would retire in a few years anyway. So they kept him around. So while thou dost protest too much, makes me wonder how many of you “bosses” are spinning the facts to cover your own lucrative greed.
LuckyLou
June 21st, 2012
3:52 pm
Bosses on the golf course are nothing new…just drive past any course during the work week. Especially Fridays. Nothing but white men having fun on the corporate dime while the slaves are at their desk running the place.
Let's live in Europe then....
June 21st, 2012
3:59 pm
Average paid vacation days:
Italy 42 days
France 37 days
Germany 35 days
Brazil 34 days
United Kingdom 28 days
Canada 26 days
Korea 25 days
Japan 25 days
U.S. 13 days
mmm….. Italy?
atllaw191
June 21st, 2012
4:03 pm
I’ve been both, but when I was a boss, I was called in to work early (sick calls necessitate the “working boss” to cover and left late). I always made sure my employees took the time they needed and even set up (with upper mgmt. approval) staggered times for getting there and leaving (the one with children who they wanted to drop off @ school came in after, the one who always had worked early wanted it that way and kept it) and I was the latecommer as there were always diagnoses to get out to doctors late by the pathologists who stayed late to take care of “Stat (frozen section) Diagnoses”. Now I’m an employee of a much different and respected firm and LOVE IT (after going back to school for a different but equal degree)! Taking care of business means being available so I am, whether in the office or out. While some say its great not to have to check in, I’ve found it helps when you hit the road running when you return. Spending half a day to “respond to e-mails” is a waste of time and effort since its already a week old, and I find that I’m respected more for how I handle my time whether in or out of the office. Translates to being RESPONSIBLE!
Momma S
June 21st, 2012
4:06 pm
Can we get a big DUH on this article???
Nair
June 21st, 2012
4:07 pm
Big DUH!
Geena Beana
June 21st, 2012
4:08 pm
Why not? That’s all our President does…
Jim
June 21st, 2012
4:12 pm
Quit blaming bosses just because you bought into the scam of working for someone else.
You will never get rich working for someone else.
Personally, I will never work for another company again.
Go to school- get your MBA (or whatever certification fits for you) and then be self employed. You might find you work a lot less hours and are much more happier than the rinky-dink time punching slave machine!
ps/ You do NOT have to be a company for a long time to become a “manager” (lol). You simply enter the company as a manager FYI