A record 70.9 million people are expected to travel this week for the Fourth of July, AAA reports, marking the busiest Independence Day holiday ever — but not everyone is asking their boss for a day off.
More than half of Gen Z workers and millennials took “quiet vacations” — taking time off without formally claiming PTO — during the Fourth of July holiday week, with a similar trend expected to continue this year, according to a survey by new Harris with 1,274 American workers. .
Younger professionals say they don’t take time off because they feel pressure to be “constantly available and productive,” even during a week off, says Tim Osiecki, director of thought leadership and trends at The Harris Poll.
Gen Zers and millennials can also take time off to cope with PTO restrictions and increased feelings of burnout.
“Employees are not trying to cheat or avoid their responsibilities,” he adds. “They’re just trying to find a way to balance their need for time off with the demands of their job.”
One of the ‘least productive’ weeks of the year
July 4th falls on a Thursday this year – sandwiched between two business days – complicating the existing lull in productivity that occurs around the federal holiday.
More than half (53%) of Gen Zers and millennials from the Harris Poll say they “barely get any work done” around July 4th.
Independence Day is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with nearly half of Americans planning vacations around it. However, only 10% of employers closed the entire work week around July 4, the survey found.
Most Gen Z and millennial workers say taking the entire week off would make them more productive, inspire them to put more effort into their work and take on more responsibility in the workplace.
It’s a small compromise that can increase employee focus and engagement during one of the “less productive” seasons of the year, Osiecki points out.
A ‘red flag’ of a bad workplace culture
When people feel the need to sneak out on vacation, it’s a “red flag” that their workplace doesn’t have an effective PTO system or a supportive culture, Osiecki says.
Workers, especially young people, are afraid to ask for time off. In a separate Harris Poll, half of employees said they get nervous asking for PTO (This rises to 58% for Gen Z and 61% for Millennials).
Many Americans from the Harris Poll said they wish their employer would put more emphasis on the value of time off.
“Managers need to understand that ‘quiet vacations’ are not a passive trend, but a symptom of a larger issue: employees who feel uncomfortable or unsupported in taking time off,” adds Osiecki. “This signals that there may be a lack of trust or a breakdown in communication between managers and their teams.”
Beat the summer slump with a positive PTO culture
Warmer weather usually leads to a summer slump at work—longer vacations, shorter work days, decreased productivity, or less team morale.
Between June and August, bosses can boost productivity by reevaluating their PTO policies, especially during popular holiday months like July, Osiecki says.
Employers can get creative with their PTO benefits, such as offering week-long company closures during major holidays, mandating a set amount of time off, or giving employees floating vacations to use throughout the year.
Managers should also lead by example, Osiecki says, by outlining clear expectations for asking for time off, normalizing PTO by taking time off as a boss, and being supportive when their employees ask for time off.
The benefits of creating a supportive PTO culture last long after summer vacation ends, Osiecki adds: “When employees feel their need for time off is understood and respected, they’re more likely to be productive, engaged and loyal.”
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