As offices close for Christmas many people will still stay connected to their work through the break, according to research from Lee Hecht Harrison | Penna.
One in three (36%) workers surveyed said they would continue to check work emails over the Christmas break; with those aged between 18 and 34 most susceptible to doing so (49%).
Nick Goldberg, CEO UK & Ireland for Lee Hecht Harrison | Penna, warned that if employees cannot allow themselves time to fully rest and recuperate they may not be able to return to work in 2017 at their best. “Holidays are important not only because they feed your social life and overall wellbeing, but also because they contribute to reviving your potential for creative and innovative thinking; two vital aspects of any work,” he said. “Protect yourself against the risk of burning out or becoming disengaged by putting emails away while on your holiday.”
Employers also seem to be feeling less festive in 2016. Less than a quarter (24%) of companies planned to throw an office party this Christmas, and only 15% gave out Christmas bonuses, according to research from Willis Towers Watson.
Just 8% had festive drinks in the office and around one in 10 (13%) received presents from employers or fellow employees.
The study also reveals that in the lead up to Christmas Brits are not slowing down, with 61% sustaining productivity throughout the Christmas period, 31% working until Christmas Eve, and 18% planning to be in the office throughout the Christmas period.
Tom Hellier, director at Willis Towers Watson, suggested that employees are not taking their feet off the pedal this Christmas. “This perhaps reflects the nature of work in the UK, changing working patterns, and an increase in the number of companies with a global footprint,” he said. “However, even a small gesture such as mince pies can go a long way in supporting your company’s morale. After all, no employer should be the Grinch at Christmas!”
