Climate change fails to impact on holiday plans

Calls to cut the UKís ëcarbon footprintí are being ignored by managers as they plan their annual summer getaway. According to the Chartered Management Instituteís latest research, the majority of managers are still failing to take their full holiday entitlement, but when they do leave work, they intend to travel as far as possible.

The Chartered Management Institute questioned 708 senior executives and found an overwhelming majority (72 per cent) will not change their travel plans, despite rising concerns about climate change. A minority (14 per cent) suggested they might fly less and just 1 per cent claimed they will no longer travel by air. Only 7 per cent said they will holiday in the UK, with the most popular destinations listed as the Caribbean, Australia, Canada and the Greek Islands. However, signalling recognition of the need to address environmental issues, 19 per cent already offset their flights, or wider travel arrangements.

Continuing the trend of recent years, the survey shows many senior executives fail to book their full holiday allowance. 63 per cent admitted they will not use all available days this year, a figure that has increased from 40 per cent in 2003. With 77 per cent suggesting that holidays help them ëcope better with work stressí, it is also surprising that 33 per cent of respondents intend to carry holiday time over to the next calendar year.

According to the survey results, an overwhelming majority (94 per cent) believe holidays help them ërecharge their batteriesí, so it is surprising that 21.6 million holiday days are not taken each year by managers in the UK ñ a cost benefit to organisations of more than 4 billion.*

Asked why they are prepared to sacrifice time off, one-third blamed excessive workloads. Some also admitted it was down to ëpoor personal planningí and ëenjoyment of workí (both 6 per cent).

With so many days remaining unused, respondents were asked if they could exchange holiday entitlement for other benefits. Surprisingly, for 70 per cent ëno optionsí are available, but 15 per cent said unused days could be ësold backí for cash. There has also been a slight increase in the number of organisations offering flexible working options as an alternative to holidays (14 per cent, up four points from 2006) ñ perhaps reflecting the growth in concern over environmental and work-life balance issues.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: ìTaking time off for a proper break is not a sign of weakness, so individuals should be encouraged to use their holiday entitlement to the full. With growing numbers also keen to offset their travel arrangements perhaps employers could consider carbon offsetting as an option for employees looking to exchange unused holiday time.î

The 2007 survey also explored attitudes to calls by the TUC for a new bank holiday in October. A significant majority of managers came out in favour, with 65 per cent supporting the concept and 15 per cent claiming they use current holiday time to ëget involved with voluntary or charity workí. Half (53 per cent) agreed that UK holiday entitlement should be ëbrought in line with EU countriesí. Only 37 per cent believe it would create disruption for employers.

Jo Causon comments: ìThe debate about creating another bank holiday is certainly gathering pace and support. The initial idea was for a bank holiday to be used to celebrate and promote community activity and there is clearly a desire for the voluntary work that so many perform to be recognised. It could also provide individuals with an opportunity to balance work commitments with a desire to support their local community, with little long-term disruption to business.î

The findings in this survey also reflect some of those found in an in-depth report exploring the ëvalue of volunteeringí (January 2006). It discovered that 78 per cent of managers are actively involved in some form of voluntary activity and that, for 60 per cent, this takes place within their local community.