Many employers instituting unlimited vacation policy
As the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic eases, more employers are encouraging workers to take their allotted vacation, according to a recent survey.
More than one-third (38 per cent) of U.S. workers say their employer or manager has encouraged them to take time off.
That’s up from 25 per cent three months ago, found the survey of more than 1,000 workers between July 16 and 22 by Robert Half.
However, more than half (55 per cent) say they have received no communication about using vacation days, while seven per cent were discouraged from taking time off.
An earlier survey found that many Canadian workers were postponing holidays plans amid the pandemic, and few managers had encouraged them to book time away.
So, what are the top ways employers are encouraging staff to use their vacation days?
- Increased communication about the importance of taking time off (68 per cent)
- Instituting an unlimited vacation policy (28 per cent)
- Limiting the number of vacation days workers can take in a given time period (for example, per quarter) (28 per cent)
- Allowing employees to cash out vacation days (24 per cent)
- Allowing workers to donate their vacation time to colleagues (18 per cent)
An Ottawa CEO found himself in hot water recently when he apparently told employees they should give up their paid vacation days, and lie about it on their timecards, or risk losing their jobs.
