USA 
United Kingdom
The line between vacation and the workplace is vanishing for many employees, with new data revealing that 30% now occasionally work during time off and 8% do so regularly.
A survey of 2,000 professionals conducted by book summary app Headway, shows that 68% of people feel anxious if they don’t check work-related messages while on vacation and as many as 66% struggle to mentally disconnect.
More than half (52%) report mental health issues such as burnout or depression as a result of working while away. And 35% of workers say they’ve had arguments with a partner over the habit.
Around 59% of employees say they receive emails while on vacation; another 22% get work-related texts, and 12% report receiving phone calls from colleagues or managers.
Personal toll grows as workers cancel vacation plans
A growing number of workers are putting job demands before relaxation, with about 35% saying they have cancelled planned activities to prioritize work while away. Roughly the same percentage say they work while on vacation because they genuinely enjoy their jobs.
Yet for others, there is pressure. Some 13% say their boss expects them to remain available during time off, and 15% admit they fear losing their job if they disconnect. Another 34% cite the lack of team coverage as the reason they keep working.
Feelings of guilt also play a role. Nearly half (49%) report feeling guilty if they don’t check in with work while away. And 61% feel guilty if they do.
The emotional burdens often come with serious physical consequences. Two in three have experienced issues such as chronic pain or a weakened immune system tied to overworking. Anxiety affects 46%, depression 23%, and insomnia 26%.
Cybersecurity gaps and relationship strains intensify risk
Cyber risks are mounting alongside mental and physical stress, with around 18% of employees admitting they work on vacation without checking if their Wi-Fi is secure, often using hotel or public networks.
Some 12% say they have accidentally leaked sensitive company information while working from insecure connections and 7% lost their job as a result, while 9% faced criminal charges.
Despite this, 43% of employers do not offer cybersecurity training for staff working remotely from non-office locations.
The always-on culture is also eroding personal time, with 44% of respondents reporting that working while on vacation has caused partner frustration, while 35% say it has sparked arguments.
What was once a time to recharge is increasingly being co-opted by deadlines, calls, and emails and the cost is growing for both employees and employers, taking both an emotional and physical toll. Business leaders should consider whether they are optimizing the performance of their top talent or allowing it to burn out and eventully leave.
