Hard-pressed managers may feel they are too busy to take holidays, but they are not doing themselves or their employers any favours, says Ruth Spellman.

Schools have broken up and we've already had our first heatwave of the year, but for many utility managers it seems that thoughts have not yet turned to getting away from it all for a week in the sun with family and friends. In fact, according to a recent survey by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), for 43 per cent of managers in the utilities sector summer holidays are not on the cards at all for 2009 (compared with 41 per cent nationally).

Looking at the reasons why managers in the sector are not taking the holidays they are entitled to, a picture emerges of an industry finding it difficult to let go, particularly when there is so much uncertainty around financial and job security. More than three-quarters of the sector's managers worry about colleagues, clients and deadlines when they are on annual leave, which explains why 57 per cent admit to checking work emails while on holiday and 63 per cent will check voicemails regarding work (both above the UK average of 51 per cent and 44 per cent respectively).

It is common knowledge that in the UK we work longer hours than anywhere in Europe and no-one can deny that our workplaces are markedly different from this time two years ago, pre-recession. People are feeling increased pressure to deliver more under stricter budgets and, where businesses have gone through redundancy programmes, there are fewer colleagues around to support when things are busy.

The very fact that we do work so hard and that many of us are experiencing more stress than we have in the past are two reasons why importance should be placed on taking holidays, rather than excuses not to take a break.

While the prospect of arriving back at work faced with a full inbox can fill one with a fleeting moment of dread, the benefits of holiday to individuals and to organisations as a whole should not be forgotten, or ignored. Time away from your site, or out of the office, has a positive impact on staff well-being and boosts productivity - both of which are crucial as companies try to ensure they are best placed to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.

Our extensive research into how to get the best out of employees shows that keeping them motivated is key and ensuring the well-being of those you work with - through things such as creating a culture where not taking holiday is frowned upon - is a crucial part of this. Happy, healthy employees are more productive and less likely to take time off through ill health or to leave the company. All of these reasons mean it makes good business sense to ensure holiday entitlement is not just something employees are entitled to but something that they benefit from.

Frustratingly, our survey showed that managers do recognise that time away from the office is the best way to recharge their batteries, but this is not enough to make more of them prioritise taking leave. More reassuringly, most managers are good at making sure their teams take well-deserved breaks, which means there should be no excuse for people not to get away this summer, if only for a few days.

Taking holiday is a personal choice, but to avoid our most talented and conscientious employees experiencing burn-out we are calling for all managers in the UK to make sure they get some holiday booked over the coming months.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive, Chartered Management Institute.
Email: questions@managers.org.uk

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