Picture this: You're finally on that beach vacation you've been planning for months. The sun is shining, the waves are calling, and your phone buzzes with another work email. You tell yourself you'll just take a quick look. Sound familiar?
If so, you're far from alone. Recent research from microlearning app Headway reveals a troubling trend that's undermining the very purpose of paid time off.
The Reality of Modern Vacations
The numbers paint a stark picture of how we're failing to disconnect:
Nearly 40 percent of the 2,000 professionals surveyed admit they occasionally or always work during their supposed time off. Even more striking, 96 percent report getting calls, emails, or texts from coworkers demanding responses while they're on PTO.
But perhaps the most telling statistic? A full 35 percent have canceled planned activities or rearranged their vacation schedules to accommodate work tasks. As the Headway report notes, we're no longer fitting work around holidays—we're vacationing around work.
Why We Can't Seem to Unplug
The reasons employees give for working during PTO reveal deeper workplace issues:
- Fear of job loss: 28 percent work during breaks because they're afraid of losing their position or worried colleagues will gain an advantage during their absence
- Manager expectations: 13 percent say their bosses actually require them to work during breaks
- Lack of support: 34 percent cite having nobody to delegate tasks to as the reason they can't fully step away
- Job passion: 35 percent claim they simply love their work (though this begs the question—why take a vacation at all?)
The intrusions come in many forms. Nearly 60 percent of respondents point to relentless email as their primary vacation disruptor, while phone calls and texts account for another significant chunk of unwanted workplace contact.
The Real Consequences
What seems like dedication or productivity during vacation comes at a serious cost:
Two-thirds of employees struggle to mentally disconnect from work while on break, and nearly 70 percent continue checking business emails. This constant connection prevents the restorative effects that time off is supposed to provide.
The physical and mental toll is substantial:
- 46 percent report increased anxiety from working during PTO
- 42 percent experience accelerated burnout
- 44 percent face relationship conflicts with partners or family
- Two-thirds develop physical symptoms, including headaches, chronic pain, and weakened immune systems
As the Headway report pointedly asks: "We're supposed to recharge, right? Yet most employees are still mentally stuck at their desks."
A Better Approach for Employers
While it might seem beneficial to have employees staying productive during PTO, the long-term costs outweigh any short-term gains. Organizations that allow or encourage work during vacation are ultimately shooting themselves in the foot.
Employees who truly disconnect return more energized, motivated, and effective. In a refreshed state, they produce better results than they do while slogging through accumulated fatigue. That "quick email check" isn't as harmless as it feels—it's preventing the recovery that makes people genuinely productive.
Real time off means real disconnection. Both employees and employers need to recognize that working through vacation isn't dedication—it's a warning sign of dysfunctional workplace culture.
The solution starts with creating systems where people can actually take time off without fear or consequence. That means proper delegation, reasonable workloads, and a culture that respects boundaries.
Because if your vacation looks a lot like your workweek, it's time to ask: What exactly are you taking a break from?