While you may think that taking a vacation will ease your stress and help you feel rejuvenated in your work, a new survey has found that they only leave workers feeling dread and post-time-off burnout.
The survey conducted by MyBioSource found that only 13% of workers felt excited about returning to work after taking a vacation, while 42% reported feeling dread.
Additionally, the survey found that 34% of respondents felt burnt out right after returning from time off instead of feeling refreshed, while 50% said they felt it within a week of returning.
The feelings are made worse as the survey found that only 8% of employers have plans and initiatives in place to prevent their employees from feeling burnout.
Ricardo Rodriguez, a member of the creative team at MyBioSource, shared in the survey that the issue starts from the top down.
“Small-business owners and managers must create a supportive environment that recognizes the importance of time off while supporting employees when they return,” Rodriguez said. “Clear communication, flexibility, and understanding go a long way in ensuring a smooth return to work for everyone involved.”
But, managers also reported feeling burnout, as 47% said they battle post-vacation burnout, as well as 22% of business owners.
While burnout may seem like a personal issue to some, the survey highlighted the effect it can have on an employee’s work.
The survey showed that more than one in eight felt they made more mistakes at work when they were burnt out. This also included 19% of Gen Z workers.
Among the solutions that the survey suggests for employers is adjusting workloads for when a person is back, moving deadlines, or even setting up an onramp for their work hours to help them adjust upon their return.