In 2015, Americans left 658 million vacation days unused. It’s a problem that has continued to ingrain itself in the American way of life, and it’s only going to get worse. It even has a name — “work martyrdom” — and one of the most troubling reasons for it is feeling guilty about taking paid time off.
Have you ever felt guilty about taking vacation, or made your coworkers feel guilty for taking time off? Well, you shouldn’t. It’s dangerous, and bad for both you and your company. (See also: 7 Ways to Actually Take All Your Vacation Days This Year)
1. Vacation is vital for good health
You wouldn’t want to make your coworkers physically ill, but by guilting them out of their vacation time, you could be contributing to some very serious health risks. The Framingham Heart Study, the world’s longest running study of heart disease, has some frightening statistics on vacation and health. The biggest — that men who failed to take a vacation for two years or more were 30 percent more likely to experience a heart attack than peers who took regular time off.
A Marshfield Clinic study showed that women who took at least two vacations per year were less likely to suffer from depression than those who don’t take time off. Other research has shown that not taking vacation can also lead to higher blood pressure, stress, poor family relationships, and if you’re extremely overworked, even suicide. So, it’s vital to actually encourage coworkers to take time off, especially if they look worn out. (See also: Science Says We NEED to Take a Vacation)
2. Vacation refreshes the mind and body
Research has proved it; when you take a vacation, you are improving your mind and your overall health. And if you work with people who need to be great at their jobs in order to make you and the company thrive, then you should encourage vacation time.
A vacation is to a person what a reboot is to a computer that is slow, glitchy, and taking forever to do tasks that used to be done quickly. Mental breaks recharge the mind, and improve memory, productivity, and creativity — all vital in almost every job out there. You will find that although you may miss them when they’re gone, your coworkers are upgraded versions of themselves when they return. And, they will be eager to dive in and get things done.
3. Vacation is just as much of a right as a bathroom or lunch break
Would you shame a coworker for daring to leave their desk for an hour to eat a meal? Would you point out that they could be doing valuable work when they are heading to the bathroom? Well, of course not. These are needs, and vacation is just as important as either of those.
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