Out of office? Local government managers reluctant to get away this summer

30 June 2009

Despite being half way through the year, research published by the Chartered Management Institute this week shows that 36% of managers in local government have not yet booked any summer holiday.

Of the most popular reasons given for staying in the office all summer, 17% said that an excessive workload is to blame. Against a backdrop of financial uncertainty and job insecurity, 40% also said they would rather exchange their holiday entitlement for cash – the highest figure compared with all other industry sectors in the UK.

For those who do escape, being out of the office doesn't necessarily mean leaving work behind. 20% admitted to finding it hard to ‘let go' and 52% worried about colleagues, clients or deadlines while away. Worry may also account for the fact 39% continue to check work emails and 27% access their voicemails, while on leave.

To encourage managers to recognise the importance of taking a break, the CMI is launching its Out of office campaign today and declaring an amnesty until 12 July, during which British managers are being urged to book some well deserved time off.

CMI's Chief Executive Ruth Spellman explains: "It is understandable that a heavy workload and the prospect of returning to a large amount of emails and outstanding tasks can deter people from taking time off, but holiday has a positive impact on staff well-being and boosts productivity.

"Encouragingly 97% of those managers we surveyed say they do encourage their team members to take their full holiday entitlement so there should be no excuse not to get away this summer, even for just a few days. We hope that our Out of office campaign, combined with an amnesty and July 12 deadline to book some leave, will help managers turn their attention to planning a break. The well-being and resilience of our managers will be very important to ensure we are best placed to take full advantage of the economic up-turn when it comes."

The CMI's summer survey quizzed more than 1,100 managers from across the UK about their holiday habits. The results show that despite it being widely accepted that time away from the office is the best way to recharge the batteries; many have put holiday plans for 2009 at the bottom of the agenda.

As well as encouraging people to consider the benefits of a well-earned break, the CMI has developed a holiday toolkit and top tips to help managers be ‘work-prepared', enabling them to enjoy their holiday and helping to alleviate the pressure when they return.

The CMI's holiday toolkit, which includes resources to help individuals prepare for their time away, is available at www.managers.org.uk/outofoffice

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