Do you 'leave shame' yourself? 7 Guilt-free reasons to use all of your annual leave

Did you know? The average person works 3,515 days throughout their lifetime. Bundled together, that's around 10 years of your life spent at work.

Put this way, you can understand why you have a right to your annual leave; but it's not just a right, it's an essential part of your wellbeing.

Annual leave is left on the table at a surprising rate, and workplace pressure tends to be the culprit. A 2024 study by NatWest revealed that nearly half of UK-based employees did not use all of their annual leave entitlement, primarily due to concerns about appearing less dedicated to their role, a phenomenon we coin 'leave shaming'. Even still, just over half of professionals admit to checking work emails during their annual leave, calling for a full-blown digital detox.

We know what happens when we don't take periodic breaks, so let's look at seven good reasons to take your annual leave guilt-free:

1. You have earned your time off. Your annual leave is a key part of your employment contract and you have worked for your break.
   
2. You can avoid the dreaded burnout. Late-stage stress and anxiety is not cured with more work, rest is essential to our physical and mental health.
   
3. You are more productive (and creative). Long periods of continuous work create mental and creative blocks that don't serve you or your employer well. Even a week off can significantly help you to reset your mind.
   
4. Your employer sees less turnover and better results. A rested workforce will always bring their A-game, whether with clients, or with each other. When everyone feels rested they serve the business better.
   
5. You are an essential part of your team's future, but not indispensable. Good teams can cover for each other, it is important for you and your workplace that your team feels able to take the reigns when you're off, as you will do for them.
   
6. Work-life balance is crucial.
   
7. Quite simply, it's the law. We probably should have started with this one, but even the top barristers would struggle to argue against it. In the UK, full-time workers are entitled to at least 28 days of paid annual leave each year. These laws exist for fairness and equality, and to maintain your health and wellbeing with adequate rest.

Taking your annual leave is vital to your wellbeing, it also gives you time to be with family, friends, pets and other loved ones. You can pursue hobbies and interests that boost your passion for every day life, take a few duvet days, or even stack your leave for maximum days off.

If you're feeling convinced that it's time to book some annual leave, login to your Leave Dates account and have it booked in 30 seconds. Go on, you know you want to.