Survey: Nearly half of Boston workers left PTO on the table last year

A new survey by hiring agency Robert Half found 49% of Boston-area workers did not use all their available vacation time last year. The trend contributed to 57% of local workers reporting feelings of burnout.

Many workers cite the stress of piled-up workloads upon their return or a lack of adequate backup support. The national survey of 1,300 professionals included Boston Metro employees and findings for the Boston area.

Of locally surveyed workers, 30% attributed their unused vacation time to concerns about their workload piling up during their absence. Another 27% indicated they did not have adequate backup to cover their responsibilities while away.

“Most say that they can’t [take time off] because the workload when they come back makes it almost more stressful to take time off than than if they didn’t,” says Bill Driscoll with Robert Half’s Boston office.

While the survey found legal professionals, marketing, and creative workers were the least likely to use all their PTO, the issue of unused vacation time and burnout was not confined to specific sectors or professions.

“I think it’s across the board,” Driscoll told Boston 25 News. “Companies have been running so lean and mean over the last three or four years that when you step out, there’s not necessarily somebody right there to step back in unless you plan for it.”

Driscoll says workers and managers have a shared responsibility to address the issue.

“The local and national numbers are really very closely tied,” Driscoll said. “There is a real onus on the employee to set boundaries, to plan, to communicate well with your employer so that you can take time off.”

For employers, setting a positive example and fostering open communication are crucial.

“It’s a really, really important part of your career to be able to enjoy your family,” Driscoll said.

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