Australians least likely to take annual leave
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Australian society is no longer fitting the stereotype. We used to be the land of the long-weekend. Now we seem to be working harder than almost everyone.
There's an interesting article over at the SMH at the moment about how we're now the least likely people on Earth to take annual leave. At least that's the finding of a global survey. So much for the hard-working Americans and Japanese.
This is mostly because of financial pressures. Around one-third blamed the credit crunch and mortgage pressures, while another third blamed work commitments.
"Working for extended periods without taking time off to recharge can affect health and relationships, and in extreme cases has been linked to premature deaths," Dr Ben Searle, organisational psychologist at Macquarie University is quoted as saying.
It's strange how we have all this new technology and labour saving devices coming out of our ears, yet at the same time we're working harder than ever. It kind of makes you wonder what the point of all this graft is.
Read the full story at the SMH.
Paul Knapp (editor@brainbox.com.au)
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Oh I don't knowI'm on permanent leave thanks to offshoring, the 457 visa and, of course, Macca's wonderful taxes. UnemployedITer, 06/12/2008 10:39:06 AM
A handful of saltThere are lies, damn lies and statistics. The article states that there was an online poll on Expedia. That is, the stats are based on people actually visiting the site AND bothering to participate in the poll. I doubt that you would go through all of this whilst on a holiday. Let's do our own poll. Right here, right now. We have one already (a "permanent retiree", above). As for me, I am a contractor - but like to take as much leave as possible (when the missus allows). In the past I never really cared much for time off; may do so at around Christmas, doing things near home. Nowadays I worship the Easter Bunny, Santa, Horses, the Queen, ANZACs and Australia. Anything that involves a longer weekend! Also, with three kids about we tend to do the "school holidays" and go interstate or somewhere "far-ish" - with the mobile phone turned off! BTW As I'm going permie (for the first time in a looooong time) I suppose I need to be more careful about using my "quota" ... Laz, 06/12/2008 02:48:51 PM
Oh and another thing ...Why take annual leave when you can take a sickie? :) Don't forget carer's leave, parental leave, Army Reserves. The survey should have been about "time away from work" rather than just time off due to annual leave... Laz, 06/12/2008 02:51:30 PM
On-line Surveys not useful for researchYeah, never been a big fan of on-line surveys as a research tool. People misrepresent the truth all the time. Its also demographics I reconn. Just using my own experience, I didn't take a lot of leave early in my career (first 5 years), but since then, I've pretty much taken my 4 weeks off every year. I don't think I'm that different to the average. Yoda, 06/12/2008 03:55:20 PM
Hilarious"Australians work hard" Hahahaha. Stop it, you're killing me :-)) Perhaps Auzzies have to spend more time at work because they they're NOT working too hard..? Icaros, 06/12/2008 10:19:47 PM
So truePeople work longer and harder. If US is example of what it will be in 5 years time. It’s not good, not good at all. [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/business/20workexcerpt.html]Worked and overworked [/url] bstd, 06/17/2008 09:38:29 AM
re:so truelink address http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/business/20workexcerpt.html bstd, 06/17/2008 09:40:57 AM
re:so trueGood stuff Bstd. Hunter, 06/17/2008 04:12:14 PM
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