Insightlink Home

Insightlink
Employee Surveys Blog



Do Americans Work Too Hard?


Posted by Insightlink on 07/07/14

If you are like most Americans, you work too hard. Most of us think working crazy hours is what it takes to prove we are passionate, productive team players. Some of us are so driven we choose overtime over vacation to prove how dedicated we really are. We mistakenly believe if we work harder and longer we will be more productive and more successful despite the evidence that the secret to being an effective worker is not working too hard.


Time away from work is a key ingredient to work life balance. Vacations have been proven over and over again to give us a better life perspective. Taking a break renews our spirit, rests our souls and refuels us so that when we return to work we are more energized and motivated to work hard. Our research at Insightlink shows that, while we may be cognizant of these facts, we largely ignore them as less than 7 in 10 of us think we are able to find a good balance between our free time and our career obligations.


In a recent survey by Purchasing Power 59% of respondents said they ‘left at least one paid time off day unused at the end of last year while 35% of them left five days or more’. Strategies designed to increase productivity then should include a focus on encouraging employees to take time off.

 

  1. Set a good example and take all your own vacation.
  2. Recognize outstanding performance with additional vacation days.
  3. Make it mandatory that all employees must take their allotted vacations every year; no exceptions.
  4. Eliminate or limit the ability for employees to cash out their vacation days.
  5. Design and adopt a more liberal vacation policy that reflects your company culture.


Statistically, research has proven that any or all of these steps are going to have a positive impact on productivity, morale and well being, so isn’t it time we all took a break?

comments powered by Disqus



Employee engagement is linked to profits
Employee Survey Demo
Employee Survey Pricing

Where does your company stand on each of the critical "4Cs" of employee engagement and satisfaction?
  • Commitment
  • Culture
  • Communications
  • Compensation
Find out with a benchmarked and validated 4Cs Employee Survey from Insightlink. Since 2001, one of the most trusted research companies in North America.

How many of each do you have?
  • Committed Loyalists
  • Change Seekers
  • Dissatisfied Compromisers
  • Satisfied Opportunists
Only the Insightlink 4Cs Employee Survey can give you the full picture and let you hear how your employees feel about their experience at your organization.

About

Insightlink Communications are experts in employee survey design, data collection and analysis. Since 2001 we've helped companies of all sizes measure and improve their employee satisfaction and engagement.



4Cs Blog Home

4Cs Blog Archives

Recent Posts


Towards Sustainable Workplaces: Why Going Green in Offices Matters for Employees

Mastering Workplace Stress

How Settlement Agreement Solicitors Protect Employee Rights During Negotiations

From Contracts to Culture: Employment Law’s Role in a Satisfied Workforce

The Remote Revolution: Transforming Teamwork Beyond the Office

Favorite Links


Employee Survey
Insightlink's Acclaimed 4Cs Employee Survey

Qualtrics
Advanced Online Survey Platform for Pros

SurveyMonkey
Quick & Easy Online Surveys

Gallup
Home of the Gallup Q12

World at Work

SHRM Blog

Insightlink on SHRM

Engaged Employees Blog

HR ToolKit Guide to Employee Surveys
Good info on how to write surveys.

Insightlink 360
Makes 360 assessment surveys easy.

InsightExit
Online Employee Exit surveys.



HOME
ABOUT
4Cs EMPLOYEE SURVEY
CONTACT
SURVEY DEMO
SERVICES
PRICING
ROI CALCULATOR
CLIENTS
SAMPLES
ARTICLES & GUIDES
FAQs
PRESS
4CS BLOG
PRIVACY
CONFIDENTIALITY
SITEMAP
LINKS

Copyright © Insightlink Communications. All rights reserved.