The sheer idea of a romantic getaway with your significant other sounds great – you’re finally getting uninterrupted alone time in an unknown environment and making memories that will last a lifetime. Yet, ironically, this concept places so much pressure on couples to have the perfect vacation that it can, in turn, make you argue more. Subsequently wondering if you should break-up because you can’t even take a little time away together.
There are a slate of things couples commonly disagree about on vacation: where to go, how much money to spend, how much time to spend in a new place, who takes the best Instagram photos (and who takes too many.) According to a new study, via consulting firm Korn Ferry, one of the biggest arguments between spouses – or significant others – is about work.
The study which came out of Los Angles and was published on May 22nd shows that disconnecting from the office to enjoy time off on a is tall order for most professionals.
Nearly half (45 per cent) of those surveyed say they check in with the office multiple times a day while on vacation. More than a quarter (26 per cent) say they check in at least once a day, and no one said they abstain from connecting to work during vacation.
Nearly all (95 per cent) of respondents say they plan to take a vacation that’s at least a week long, but nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) admit they’ve had to cut a vacation short due to work pressures.
When asked why they work while on vacation, the largest percentage said to ‘put out fires’ (45 per cent), and nearly a fifth of respondents (19 per cent) say they work while on holiday because they ‘enjoy it.’
In addition, more than half (54 per cent) say they’ve argued with a spouse or significant other about being too connected to work during vacation.
“Vacation time is not just a nice to have, it’s a must to sustain workers’ health and well-being,” said Korn Ferry Senior Partner and Engagement Specialist Mark Royal. “Our research finds that the majority of professionals are more stressed at work than they were five years ago, and they say that stress is having a negative impact on their personal relationships. Professionals who can turn off the demands of work – even for short periods of time – will be more engaged and more productive in the long run.”
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