Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

Trump Proposes Plan for Rapid Spending Cuts Amid Impending Government Shutdown

March 13, 2025

Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Student Visa Program Termination

May 23, 2025

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Attempt to Revoke Status of Over 500,000 Migrants

April 14, 2025

Trump Endorses Byron Donalds for Florida Governorship Successor

February 20, 2025

Meta and Anduril Collaborate on VR/AR Project for U.S. Army

May 29, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Nestlé to Eliminate Artificial Dyes from U.S. Foods and Beverages by 2026
  • Understanding the Ibrahim Agreement: Impact and Context in Tel Aviv
  • Immigration Lawyer Warns Los Angeles Detention Facilities Are “Ticking Time Bomb”
  • Ukraine and Council of Europe Establish Tribunal for War Accountability
  • Florida Representative Faces Threats Following Ectopic Pregnancy Report
  • Iran’s Nuclear Program Incurs Significant Damage
  • China Calls on Development Bank to Prioritize Belt and Road Initiative
  • Mavericks Draft Cooper Flagg as Top Pick in NBA Draft
  • CDC Appoints Former Leader of Anti-Vaccine Group
  • Ikea Implements Significant Price Cuts to Attract Budget-Conscious Shoppers
  • Tesla Robotaxi Pilot Under Scrutiny for Erratic Driving Behavior
  • Spanish PM Sanchez Announces 2027 Re-Election Bid Amid Corruption Investigations
  • Meta Prevails in AI Copyright Case as Judge Encourages Further Legal Action
  • Cuban Girl’s Journey to Miami Disrupted by Trump’s Travel Ban
  • Brussels Airports Experience Flight Cancellations Amid Pension Reform Strikes
  • San Diego Police Search for Fake Rideshare Driver in Sexual Assault Case
  • Tensions Remain High in Tehran Following Israel-Iran Ceasefire
  • Fugitive Drug Trafficker Captured in Ecuador Over a Year After U.S. Wanted Status
  • AKP’s Hasan Basri Yalçın Hospitalized Following Sea Accident
  • Öcalan’s Perspective: Implications for Key Stakeholders
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Thursday, June 26
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Europe News » Employees Struggle to Disconnect During Annual Leave
Employees Struggle to Disconnect During Annual Leave

Employees Struggle to Disconnect During Annual Leave

News EditorBy News EditorMay 14, 2025 Europe News 6 Mins Read

A recent survey focusing on white-collar workers in Europe revealed that many employees find it challenging to disconnect from work while on vacation. Conducted by a talent consulting company, the study highlights anxiety levels among workers from Spain, the UK, and France regarding their job responsibilities during their breaks. Only a small percentage feel fully recharged after taking their annual leave, raising questions about workplace culture and the effectiveness of existing policies aimed at promoting work-life balance.

Article Subheadings
1) Who’s most hooked on checking their inbox?
2) What’s the share of those who truly unplug?
3) Are company shutdowns a solution to avoid backlogs?
4) Right to disconnect: Where is it an actual right in Europe?
5) Employees ‘putting off’ holiday plans over judgment fears

Who’s most hooked on checking their inbox?

According to the survey, conducted by officials from a consulting firm, British employees exhibit the highest levels of anxiety about returning to work after a holiday. It was found that 78% of British workers express concerns before heading back to the office. These anxieties stem primarily from the fear of being inundated with emails upon their return. More than half (51%) admit to checking their inbox while on vacation, driven by worry about accumulating an overwhelming number of messages. Additionally, 43% of these workers feel a compulsion to ensure nothing urgent is happening in their absence.

In Spain, the trends are similarly alarming but slightly less intense. About 40% of Spanish workers check their emails while on holiday, with 28% doing so daily. This data indicates an ingrained habit among employees to remain tethered to their work, even if it costs them the much-needed downtime. The survey also highlighted that 63% of employees in Spain and an even larger percentage (64%) in France are anxious about their return to work after taking annual leave.

What’s the share of those who truly unplug?

The survey findings demonstrate that only a minimal fraction of workers feel genuinely recharged after taking time off. In the UK, merely 15% of respondents indicated that they return to work feeling completely refreshed and ready to engage. The situation is slightly better in France, where 22% feel similarly, and in Spain, the number is even higher at 25%. These figures suggest a widespread inability among employees to fully disconnect from their work obligations during their vacations.

This inability to unplug raises important questions about workplace culture and expectations. In an era where the boundaries between work and personal time are increasingly blurred by technology and connectivity, such low percentages reflect a considerable challenge for companies aiming to foster a healthy work-life balance.

Are company shutdowns a solution to avoid backlogs?

Given the high anxiety levels surrounding personal time off, a potential solution discussed in the survey is to implement company-wide shutdowns. This approach would allow employees to take vacation time simultaneously, thereby minimizing concerns about falling behind or missing critical updates during their absence. The response from different countries within Europe varies significantly.

Most British workers (54%) believe that company shutdowns are not a viable solution, citing potential disruptions to business operations as a significant concern. Many argue that creating fixed periods for leave could lead to decreased flexibility in handling work. Similarly, 47% of Spanish workers express skepticism about such a strategy. In contrast, French employees are more receptive to the idea, acknowledging benefits such as collective time off for teams and enhanced stress relief. Only 31% of French workers oppose the notion of taking holidays in unison.

Right to disconnect: Where is it an actual right in Europe?

The concept of a “right to disconnect” has gained traction across Europe, with varying implementations and levels of success. France pioneered this movement by embedding the right into its labor laws in 2017, although it lacks strict penalties for companies that fail to comply. Spain followed suit in 2018 and is currently working on a new draft bill to strengthen these protections further. In 2021, Portugal introduced similar legislation within its Labor Code.

Other countries, such as Italy and Belgium, have taken steps to address this issue, albeit with limitations. Italy has granted this right mainly to remote workers, while Belgium extended this protection to the private sector starting in 2023 but only for companies employing at least 20 individuals. On the other hand, the UK currently has no legislation protecting employees’ rights to disconnect, although there have been increasing calls for such measures.

Employees ‘putting off’ holiday plans over judgment fears

The survey findings indicate that anxiety around taking annual leave may have significant repercussions for both employees and employers. According to the CEO of the consulting firm, this trend not only threatens to lower already struggling engagement rates, but could also negatively impact productivity levels across workplaces in Europe. There is evidence to suggest that the fear of judgment from colleagues or superiors leads some professionals to delay or avoid booking their holidays altogether.

This situation raises serious concerns about the implications for employee mental health and well-being. The culture of always being “on” can lead to increased stress and burnout, undermining overall job satisfaction. As workers grapple with these challenges, the importance of addressing such issues within organizational frameworks becomes increasingly apparent.

No. Key Points
1 Survey reveals significant anxiety among European workers regarding work responsibilities during vacations.
2 Only a small percentage of employees feel fully recharged after their annual leave.
3 The concept of company-wide shutdowns for vacations garners mixed opinions across different countries.
4 Several European countries have introduced a “right to disconnect,” each with varying degrees of effectiveness.
5 Anxiety around vacation time is impacting employee productivity and well-being.

Summary

The survey highlights pervasive issues regarding employee anxiety related to work during holiday breaks across Europe. With most workers unable to disconnect from their responsibilities, the consequences extend beyond individual stress levels to affect overall productivity and workplace culture. As countries adopt various policies to enhance worker rights, organizations must find effective ways to implement these changes and foster environments where employees feel comfortable enjoying their time off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why do employees feel anxious about taking vacations?

Many employees are concerned about returning to an overwhelming number of emails and missed responsibilities, leading to anxiety during their time off.

Question: What is the “right to disconnect”?

The “right to disconnect” allows employees to disengage from work-related communications during non-working hours, helping to promote work-life balance and reduce burnout.

Question: How can employers support employees during their time off?

Employers can implement clear policies that promote the right to disconnect, provide mandatory handovers and pre-leave to-do lists, and foster a culture that values employee well-being.

Annual Brexit Continental Affairs Cultural Developments Disconnect Economic Integration employees Energy Crisis Environmental Policies EU Policies European Leaders European Markets European Politics European Union Eurozone Economy Infrastructure Projects International Relations leave Migration Issues Regional Cooperation Regional Security Social Reforms struggle Technology in Europe Trade Agreements
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
News Editor
  • Website

As the News Editor at News Journos, I am dedicated to curating and delivering the latest and most impactful stories across business, finance, politics, technology, and global affairs. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we provide breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert insights to keep our readers informed in an ever-changing world. News Journos is your go-to independent news source, ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable reporting on the topics that matter most.

Keep Reading

Europe News

Ukraine and Council of Europe Establish Tribunal for War Accountability

5 Mins Read
Europe News

Ikea Implements Significant Price Cuts to Attract Budget-Conscious Shoppers

6 Mins Read
Europe News

Brussels Airports Experience Flight Cancellations Amid Pension Reform Strikes

6 Mins Read
Europe News

EU Leader Urges Hungary to Revoke Ban on Budapest Pride

6 Mins Read
Europe News

Trump Promises to Hold Spain Accountable for NATO Spending Shortfall

5 Mins Read
Europe News

Understanding Doping: From Lance Armstrong to Current Issues

7 Mins Read
Mr Serdar Avatar

Serdar Imren

News Director

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

Trump and Musk Address Ongoing Feud Amidst Focus on Other Priorities

June 6, 2025

Cybersecurity Agency Faces Major Setbacks Due to DOGE Reductions

March 8, 2025

100 Days of DOGE: Elon Musk’s Influence on Trump Administration Policies

April 29, 2025

Trump Administration Implements Major Pentagon Budget Cuts

February 20, 2025

Tornado Threat Follows Deadly Storms in Southern U.S.

March 15, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.