Workers in Ireland Call for an Increase in Paid Holidays

IrishJobs.ie Post-Holiday Survey Reveals:

71% declare that they do not get enough paid holidays
43% took one week or less for their main holiday
65% say workload increases when they take holidays
4% holiday in a different time zone or remote location to avoid work!

Dublin, 3rd September 2007- The latest survey from IrishJobs.ie, Irelandís number 1 recruitment website, has revealed major dissatisfaction among workers in Ireland with the number of paid holidays they receive annually. IrishJobs.ie undertook to communicate with jobseekers in Ireland as the traditional holiday season comes to an end to get their views on holiday entitlements. 71% of respondents declared that they do not get enough annual leave, with half of this group stating that they would be willing to take a salary cut in return for more holidays.

Ireland has one of the lowest holiday entitlements in the EU with the minimum statutory holidays allowed under EU Law of only 20 days, in addition nine public holiday days or 29 days in total. The only countries with less are The Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom with 28 days including public holidays. The average minimum annual leave in the EU is 23 days or 34 days in total including public holidays, making Ireland 5 days below the average minimum holidays in the EU.

Valerie Sorohan, Marketing Manager, IrishJobs.ie commented: ìWorkers in Ireland are not happy with the number of paid holidays they receive. There is an obvious lack of balance between workload/pressure and quality time away from work. Once again, it emerges that money is no longer the sole motivator for workers. What is uncovered here, is a significant gap between employee well being and holiday entitlements. An increase in holidays to at least the EU average could have a positive affect on morale and in turn, productivity.î

Despite 92% of companies allowing breaks of two weeks or more, 43% of respondents took only one week or less for their main holiday this year. 39% of respondents indicated that their work increases greatly having to do two weeks work in one before and after their annual leave. Work pressures extend into holiday time itself for many, with nearly a third of people feeling stressed by their job on their holiday and, about the same amount taking work related calls.

ìThe trend of taking short holidays of a week or less could be attributed to the huge workloads employees face when they take annual leave and in general an excessive level of pressure on an ongoing basis. Despite 70% feeling rejuvenated after their holiday, only 19% of all respondents were happy to return to work, with 25% stating that they were now looking for a new job,î Sorohan continued

ìEmployers need to address these pressures and recognise that their staff are their greatest asset. Wherever possible teamwork should be encouraged and structured annual leave arrangements and holiday cover put in place. In this way, workers will share the work burden and mutually benefit from a stress free holiday,î Ms. Sorohan concluded.

And although destination is not influenced by work for 96% of respondents, there is that 4% who travel to a different time zone or remote location just to make sure that they canít be contacted!

* The majority of our European counterparts have a higher number holidays with Finland and France enjoying a minimum of 44 and 40 days of holidays each year respectively (including public holidays).