Approximately 10% of American workers have their offices closed during the entire week of Independence Day, but this hasn’t deterred more than half of Generation Z and Millennial workers from engaging in “quiet vacationing” during the first week of July. According to a recent Harris Poll, 56% of Gen Z and Millennials have quiet vacationed during the Fourth of July week in the past, compared to 35% of Gen X-ers and Boomers.
Quiet vacationing is a practice where workers incorporate rest and relaxation into their schedules without using paid time off (PTO). In a post-lockdown world, where many employees are accustomed to working from home, quiet vacationing often involves taking advantage of remote working policies. Some people may remain online but not complete tasks, while others may work from a vacation destination without informing their employer.
The decision to quiet vacation is often rooted in a lack of PTO and the anxiety associated with taking the time off that is allotted. Employees are not trying to deceive or shirk their responsibilities, but rather are seeking a balance between their need for rest and the demands of their jobs. Some Gen Z and Millennial employees are even willing to accept a reduced salary or give up part of their annual bonus to have the entire week of Independence Day off each year.
Interestingly, giving employees more time off could potentially be beneficial for their employers. Forty percent of respondents indicated that they would be more productive, and 33% were willing to take on more responsibilities if they had the entire week off. This suggests that offering more time off to employees could lead to increased productivity and a willingness to take on additional tasks.
