Millennials use quiet vacation”: 40% treat themselves to secret breaks!

Millennials use quiet vacation”: 40% treat themselves to secret breaks!

More and more millennials are turning to a special tactic to escape their everyday work routine without officially requesting vacation. This practice, known as a “quiet vacation,” is practiced by nearly 40% of millennials, a survey by The Harris Poll found. In comparison, only 24% of Generation Z and Generation X have taken similar steps to distance themselves from work. The survey was conducted between April 26 and April 28 among 1,170 working Americans, demonstrating the widespread popularity of this trend among the younger generation. [t3n.de] reports that many Millennials often move their mouse to keep their status active on messaging apps, with 38% of this generation reporting this.

In parallel, findings show that 37% of Millennials intentionally send messages outside of their regular work hours to simulate working overtime. This is seen as a worrying trend compared to Generation Z, of which only 27% follow this practice. According to Libby Rodney from The Harris Poll, the quiet vacation could be due to the different values ​​and demands of the generations. While Generation Z criticizes employers who don't offer a good work-life balance, Millennials are more likely to prefer subtle solutions to meet their time off needs.

Reasons for the silent vacation model

The workload and demands of full-time jobs come with both benefits and challenges. Many employees experience constant stress, which often leads to difficulties in balancing work and private life. The working time model, which usually runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., is often supplemented by additional hours, which leads to increased pressure. These circumstances are fueling the trend of quiet vacationing among Millennials and Gen Z. [herworld.com] highlights that working from home while on vacation is a common practice.

An essential reason for quiet vacationing is the fear of requesting vacation or experiencing a constant flood of emails during vacation days. The survey shows that 37% of Millennials take time off without informing their employer in order to gain more freedom. One of the newer strategies to maintain the illusion of always-on availability is to schedule emails outside of work hours, which is also practiced by 37% of Millennials.

Pros and Cons of Quiet Vacationing

The advantages of this model are complex. Quiet vacationing can enable a better work-life balance, have a relieving impact on mental health and reduce the risk of burnout. Nevertheless, this behavior also carries risks. Employees may miss deadlines, may experience emergencies, and may face increased workload upon return. There is also a risk of disciplinary action if company guidelines are violated.

Overall, the survey shows that more than half of respondents say they answer work calls while on vacation and 86% read their managers' emails. The findings make it clear that employers should be vigilant and undertake regular assessments of their employees' workloads to enable necessary adjustments to improve work-life balance.