Britain is losing the ability to switch off on holiday, according to research by the Chartered Management Institute. The Institute questioned 1,300 managers and found that nearly half the respondents (45 per cent) contact their employers by choice whilst on annual leave.
The majority of managers have more than 5 weeks holiday entitlement each year, but increasing work commitments mean that 40 per cent of managers do not take up their full holiday allowance. Almost 1 in 10 even ''sell'' excess holiday time as part of flexible benefits packages.
Of the respondents who plan to take annual leave this year, two thirds will use the time to catch up on chores at home. A fifth will remain in the UK to complete outstanding paperwork and 21 per cent claim to use their entitlement to visit doctors or dentists.
For those managers who have planned trips abroad, the threat of terrorist activity or DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) does not appear to deter travel plans. Less than 5 per cent of managers say these factors will affect their holidays plans in 2003. A higher proportion, however (39 per cent), actively avoid taking breaks during school holidays.
Two thirds of those surveyed will be holidaying in Europe this year but if offered an all-expenses-paid trip the most desired destination is Australia. However, even then, 41 per cent of respondents claimed they would find a way to check their work emails.
A Briton's desk is his (sand)castle
.