For Subscribers

No-Vacation Nation: Why Americans Feel That PTO Is NSFW A look at why U.S. workers are afraid to take time off.

By Michelle Juergen

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Let's get real: You need a break.

Studies have shown that time off from work is great for your body and your mind. Problem is, no one's taking it. A survey of more than 1,300 U.S. employees and senior business leaders, conducted by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications for Travel Effect and the U.S. Travel Association, shows that Americans are increasingly stressed at work but aren't taking the breaks they've earned. Despite acknowledging the benefits of downtime, 41 percent do not plan to use all their paid time off (PTO) this year.

A deeper look into the report reveals the struggle employees face to healthily balance their workloads with a culturally driven must-work-nonstop mindset.

Vacation, all I ever wanted

  • 96 percent of workers recognize the importance of using PTO, including 95 percent of senior business leaders.
  • 90 percent of workers say PTO helps them relax and recharge; 88 percent say it offers the opportunity to do what they enjoy; and 85 percent say it makes them happier.
  • 65 percent say their concentration and productivity improve with PTO, and 61 percent report greater satisfaction at work.

Work, bitch

  • 67 percent of workers say they receive negative, mixed or no messages about taking PTO from their company.
  • 31 percent say they do not control their own PTO—the company does.
  • 37 percent say it's not easy for them to take the PTO they've earned.
  • Some senior business leaders say that when workers take all of their PTO, it signals that they are less dedicated (39 percent), less successful (35 percent) and less productive (38 percent).

Can't stop, won't stop

  • The top barriers workers cite to taking PTO are:
  • Returning to a "mountain of work" (40 percent).
  • "Nobody else can do the work" (35 percent).
  • "Cannot afford" it (33 percent).
  • Wanting to show complete dedication to the company and their job (28 percent).

Source: GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications for the U.S. Travel Association, August 2014

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Starting a Business

A Cambodian Refugee Paralyzed By Polio Says 'Not Much' Was Expected of Him. He and His Wife Built a Multimillion-Dollar Business That Beat All Odds.

Steve and Brittany Yeng were discouraged from pursuing their unique idea, but they didn't listen to the naysayers.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Finds a Buyer in One Day for Her $12 Million 'Palace in the Sky' Penthouse

Corcoran bought the duplex co-op for $10 million in 2015 and spent $2 million renovating it.

Business News

College Professors Are Turning to ChatGPT to Generate Course Materials. One Student Noticed — and Asked for a Refund.

AI use in higher education is becoming more popular for students and professors.

Business News

You Can Now Order Food and Book a Massage on Airbnb. Here's How.

Airbnb redesigned its app and added a host of new services.