Vacation days are essential for helping make work days feel more manageable, but workers are avoiding using their PTO days in large numbers. About 1 in 4 US workers said they took no vacation days in the last year, working through the year despite their desire for some time off. While the large majority of workers did take at least some time off for themselves, it is apparent that this was also done sparingly, with the threat of disapproval hanging over them.
The PTO statistics for 2025 may sound encouraging to some employers who stand to gain from no lost days of productivity, however, employees who work without breaks or time to themselves can grow both tired and resentful of their employers. The mere act of providing paid time off is no longer enough, as the establishment of a work culture that doesn’t actively support vacations is one that passively encourages burnout.
A quarter of US workers avoided using their PTO days for vacations last year, with the majority worried about their workloads. (Image: Freepik)
Around 1 in 4 Workers Avoid Using PTO Days for Vacations
About 82% of US workers are rewarded with the benefit of paid time off, however, the FlexJobs Work and PTO Pressure Report found that 1 in 4 workers did not take any vacation days off in the last year. The survey also found that over 21% only took one to five days off, while 21% took around six to 10 days off from work. Not all workers used their vacation days as sparingly. Around 17% took about two weeks off from work, while 18% took more than 15 days.
While it’s good to see that many US workers did manage to squeeze in a vacation despite their workload, it appears that more often than not, workers either skipped vacation days in the US or used the benefit to a limited degree. This could be attributed to the fact that most workers have limited PTO days at their disposal, but the data from the survey also showed that 25% of respondents had their managers discourage them from taking a full week off from work.
FlexJobs’ PTO statistics for 2025 are encouraging from the perspective of workers using their vacation days, but it is also apparent that a considerable number of workers find it hard to get away from their jobs, however briefly.
Why Are Workers Skipping on Using Their Vacation Days and Taking Time Off?
When a benefit is available for workers to use, one might assume that they would leap at the opportunity to make the most of it. So why are workers avoiding using their PTO days to their full capacity? “Most employees have some form of paid time off, but there’s a big difference between a company that offers this benefit and one that actually encourages workers to use it.” Toni Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs, explained in the report. “Without a company culture that supports rest, many workers feel they can’t really step away without risking their professional reputation.”
The US-based survey dove into why workers were leaving their vacation days unused, and the data showed that the primary reason was that workers found their workloads too heavy to justify their time away. About 43% of workers felt compelled to work due to the amount of work they had on their tables. The data also showed that 34% didn’t feel they had enough PTO days to use for their vacation, making it a hard opportunity to explore and use.
The other reasons for skipping vacation days in the survey included the fear of falling behind, the guilt of not appearing committed enough to their jobs, and the lack of support from employers to take the necessary time off. The data makes it clear that workplace culture has a considerable role to play in how employees approach vacations.
Why Should Employers Actively Encourage Workers to Use Their PTO Policy?
It’s not common to have employers, managers, or HR leaders bring up discussions of vacations at work, and it is exceedingly rare for management to encourage workers to take a holiday. This is typically because employers fear that such encouragement will allow employees to become too relaxed about their responsibilities and encourage them to take time off whenever they please, but this is rarely the case.
Most employees are aware of how their image at work might be affected by excessively leaving their tasks unattended. Many are also considerate of how their absence will affect their work and the work of those around them. Encouraging workers to use their vacation days is a great way to build goodwill and also show managers and other sub-leaders how to support workers rather than discourage or mistrust them.
During a time when employees are worried about losing their jobs or being fired at the slightest hint of weakness, encouraging workers to step away from their desks for a few days is an act of trust and appreciation. It allows workers to feel more reassured about their position at the organization, and also gives them some time to get their act together before returning to their daily routine.
Encouraging Workers to Take A Vacation Isn’t Just About Providing PTO Benefits
From sending out memos and reminders to take a break to giving employees more PTO days, there are many ways to ensure your employees don’t resent you for these skipped vacation days. Building benefits and perks around travelling can also encourage workers to go on vacation without worrying about straining their resources and bank accounts, which in turn allows them to return to work more rejuvenated.
An efficient system for managing work during an employee’s absence and helping them re-assimilate on their return are some key ways to help them recommit to their jobs and titles as soon as they sign back in. It bears repeating that advanced planning and open conversation are some of the best tools to eliminate the existing friction surrounding vacations.
Supporting workers and their well-being is a critical aspect of engagement and retention, and all it takes is a little organization to ensure employees are free to take a break from work and make the most of a PTO policy that is set up for them.
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What’s the point of using vacation days when I don’t have money to go anywhere, and when I’m worried about looking like I’m not dedicated at my job and put myself first in line to get laid off? It’s not worth the anxiety. So I end up burned out. No one cares, they just want the job done.