A study by OnePoll and luxury holiday experts eShores has found 91 per cent of Brits say the number of holidays offered by a potential employer is the most important factor when looking for work. The survey of 2,000 respondents, half of whom had been on holiday in the last 12 months and half who haven’t, found that when UK workers were asked which aspects are most important to them when applying for a job, holiday allowance came a close second place behind the salary they would receive (98 per cent) and ahead of a pension plan (89 per cent) and opportunities for promotion (78 per cent).
The study not only asked people what they were looking for when applying for a job, but also looked at the effects on respondents after taking a holiday.
Some of the benefits found included:
· 39 per cent had good levels of motivation after a holiday, compared to 24 per cent who hadn’t been away.
· 43 per cent felt more productive after a holiday, with 28 per cent who didn’t go on holiday reporting good levels of productivity.
· Almost half (46 per cent) of those who’d been on holiday reported having good mental health, compared to 34 per cent who hadn’t.
· 45 per cent said they felt they had a good work-life balance following a holiday, this is compared to 30 per cent who didn’t go away.
· 37 per cent of those who’d holidayed said they felt happy in their career, with less than a quarter (22 per cent) who didn’t take a holiday saying the same.
· 41 per cent of respondents who went away described their finances as being good, compared to 26 per cent who hadn’t been away.
The research also found several other reported benefits from holidaying, including health and mental health improvement:
· Nearly half (48 per cent) of those who had been away said they felt good levels of happiness; this is compared to just 33 per cent of those who hadn’t been away.
· 36 per cent who had been on holiday reported feeling good about their stress levels, compared to 26 per cent who hadn’t.
Cross-referencing the study with the World Happiness Index shows that countries with more holiday allowance ranked higher. Finland, Denmark, and Norway make up the top three, all of whom have 25 days minimum allowance – five days more than the legal EU minimum. The UK came in tenth place, matching the minimum 20-day holiday allowance.
“We’re pleased to see our research proves what we expected – taking holiday’s is of great importance to employees and can have great benefits to their health,” said Gavin Lapidus, co-founder of eShores.
“The survey proves the importance of holiday allowance, so businesses must offer a strong package in order to attract and retain the best talent. Further to this, the benefits to productivity and general health when going on holiday show how important it is to facilitate and encourage an annual holiday. In order to have a happy, healthy and ultimately successful workforce, having an annual holiday is of great importance.”
