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Online travel agency, Expedia, has revealed that majority of Singaporeans just can’t stop ‘Workcationing’. According to Expedia’s 2011 Vacation Deprivation survey, Singapore has some of the world’s most dedicated workforce with 81% of respondents admitting to checking-in on work while away on vacation.
Expedia’s Vacation Deprivation study is an annual analysis of the diverse holiday habits of travellers around the world. The 2011 study spans Asia, Australia, North America, Europe and South America, and compares vacationing habits and attitudes of over 7,800 employed people across 20 countries.
This is the first time that the Vacation Deprivation survey has included Singapore in the study and this year’s results reveals some worrying insights into the work-life balance of Singaporean professionals.
Singaporeans are chained to their desks
According to the study, Singapore is the most overworked nation where employees clock up an average of 44 working hours a week. And despite only having an average of 14 vacation days each year, many Singaporeans don’t fully enjoy their holiday due to management pressures.
The study showed that 38% of respondents were unsure if their bosses are supportive of them taking time off and 13% of respondents were under the impression that taking a vacation would trigger negative sentiments in the workplace. In fact, 10% of Singaporeans surveyed actually indicated that ‘work is life’ for them.
And to further emphasise the workaholic nature of Singaporeans, the survey also found that 42% of respondents have cancelled or postponed holiday plans due to work commitments.
Singaporeans say money’s not an issue
Globally, money is the most commonly-cited reason for not taking vacations. However, it seems that financial considerations are not as important a factor when Singaporeans are planning for a getaway. Majority expressed that money, or lack thereof, was not likely to deter them from going on a holiday, with only 13% claiming to have foregone their vacations due to limited funds. In fact, close to 40% of Singaporeans describe their financial situation as being “solid” or “good”.
Compared to the other regions that indicated financial considerations as one of the most important factors for not going on a holiday, Singaporeans on the other hand cited ‘lack of planning’ as the biggest contributing factor to why they fail to use up all their annual leave, with over 30% of local respondents failing to utilise their annual leave as a result of poor holiday planning.
However, work pressures remains a major vacation impediment as close to 40% of Singaporeans reported that they’re unable to plan their vacation in advance as it depends on their work schedule.
“It’s worrying how so many Singaporeans feel that their lives revolve around work even when on a holiday. Everyone deserves a good break away to recharge and to feel re-energised. In fact, I personally encourage my employees to take all their vacation days to see the world,” said Dan Lynn, CEO, AirAsiaExpedia. “At Expedia, we try to make it really easy for travellers to plan and book their getaways. The unbeatable travel packages available on Expedia.com.sg, coupled with our frequent travel deals, are ideal for busy working professionals to jet off to their holidays with minimal effort,” he further added.
Asia is world’s most vacation-deprived region
On the whole, the study showed that Asia represents the world’s most vacation-deprived region, with Korea, Japan and Singapore receiving the fewest vacation days each year. On average, Japanese workers cleared less than half of their eleven annual vacation days, and South Korean employees left three of their 10 off days unused.
While American employees view their vacations as a guilty habit, European and Brazilian employees know exactly how to enjoy their hard-earned holiday privileges. With more than twice as many off days as their Asian and American counterparts, majority tend to exhaust all their vacation days, making them the well-deserving ‘leaders in vacationing’.
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
