• 13 per cent of UK workers either don’t take all their holiday allowance, or don’t know how many days off they are entitled to each year
• ‘Work is too busy’ given as main reason British workers don’t take their holiday
• A third of British workers plan to use their holiday allowance attending other people’s celebrations

New research from Direct Line Travel Insurance1 reveals that four million British workers2 (13 per cent) do not use all their work holiday allowance every year, either deliberately, or because they do not know many days they are entitled to take off.

Men are more guilty than women of not taking holiday (14 per cent vs 11 per cent) and when looking at different industries, a fifth (20 per cent) of those working in IT and Telecoms don’t use their full allowance, compared to just eight per cent of those in manufacturing.

Around a fifth of workers choose not to take their entitlement, either because they will only use holiday if they actually go away on holiday (22 per cent) or they just don’t feel the need to have a break from work (21 per cent).  One in five (21 per cent) are limited as to when they can take their time off by their employer, with one in ten (10 per cent) not able to use their allowance because of other colleagues being away.

Others are concerned about the implications of taking time off, either because they do not like missing out on work (eight per cent) or they are worried they will be overlooked for a promotion or pay rise if they take a break.
 

Table one: Why people do not take all their holiday allowance

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2016
 

Psychologist Gladeana McMahon said: ‘‘Holidays are vital for ensuring psychological, physical and emotional well-being. Not taking a break from work puts people at increased risk of developing stress related conditions like sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression.  While looking after others is generous and admirable, it is worrying that people do not recognise that looking after themselves is equally as important.”

When workers do manage to take valuable time off from work, the majority (78 per cent) plan to use it for a personal holiday, while more than half (55 per cent) will use the time to visit family. 

Around a third of us plan to use our well-earned holiday allowance celebrating other people’s occasions, including graduations and engagement parties (34 per cent), weddings (30 per cent) and birthday celebrations (30 per cent). On average British workers plan to spend 13 per cent of their holiday allowance celebrating special days with other people over the next 12 months.’’ 

Table two: Top 10 uses for holiday allowance over the next 12 months

Source: Direct Line Travel Insurance 2016

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Direct Line, commented: “We are a very hardworking nation, but need to remember the importance of taking time out of our busy day to day lives to rest, relax and recuperate. Our holiday allowance shouldn’t be seen as a luxury, but as a necessity and something to be looked forward to. Hard working Brits should try to use their holiday allowance each year, especially as many organisations have a ‘use it or lose it’ policy.

“Whether taking time off to go abroad, or to travel around the UK for various celebrations, make sure you have adequate travel and home insurance policies to give you peace of mind that whatever your plans over the next 12 months, you are fully covered.”
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editor

1. Research was conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 2,008 UK adults between 12th to 15th July 2016
2. 4 million Brits =  51,339,000 * (159/2008) = 4,065,190
    

For further information, please contact:
 

Claire Jarrett 
Media Relations Executive 
Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 832 411
Email: [email protected]
 

Direct Line
 

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.
 

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
 

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com
 

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