Brits put in more overtime to compensate for holidays

Holidays were once regarded as sacred ‘me time’ – away from the trials and tribulations of everyday working life. However, 8.74 million workers put in an extra eight hours or more at the office either before or after their holiday to make up for lost time.

Research by swiftcover.com, the online insurer, reveals people are also packing their mobiles and Blackberries alongside flip flops and sun cream in their suitcases, resulting in nearly two thirds of Brits (64%) saying they usually need another holiday to properly relax after time away!

Nearly one in ten (9%) Brits cited keeping up to date with work as the main reason they always carried a communications gadget with them whilst on holiday, either to be able to do work while they’re away or to be on call in case of emergencies.

Mobile Offices by the Pool

The most popular gadget to take on holiday is a mobile phone (88%), followed by an iPod or MP3 player (43%). However, one in seven (14%) Brits even pack up their laptop computer to take on holiday with them, risking sandy keyboards and the wrath of their partners for not leaving the office at home. More than one in ten families (11%) take three mobile phones away with them, indicating Brits simply don’t like the idea of completely switching-off.

Stressed-out City Workers

Over one in twenty (6%) workaholic Londoners admit to taking their Blackberry or a wireless device away with them to keep up to speed with emails from their holiday destination.

But does staying in touch cause Brits to be more stressed after holidays? Nearly a quarter of us (23%) feel it now takes longer to completely de-stress on holiday than in the past and a further 23% feel they are never fully de-stressed as a result of having a break.

Craig Staniland, Director of Underwriting at swiftcover.com comments: “It seems we can’t face missing out on the latest office or social gossip, probably fuelled by the advent of smarter and slicker technology. Millions of Brits are now taking hundreds of pounds worth of technology on holiday with them in a move away from the traditional ‘relax and unwind’ holiday activities. Whatever happened to holidays being restful?”

The research also reveals:

Nearly one in two (47%) Brits spends at least one hour over the course of a week on their mobile while on holiday


Four in ten Brits – (40%) taking a mobile phone or Blackberry on holiday is a means of keeping up with their friends and family’s latest news

One in seven (14%) people spend one hour a day watching DVDs on a portable DVD player whilst half (54%) of those who take their laptop computer spend one hour or more every day logged on

Rather than relaxing by the pool, six in ten (57%) Brits text, check emails, watch DVDs and listen to music on portable devices on the beach or by the pool

As so many people are now taking technology and communications devices on holiday with them, we could be planning the final details for our holidays at the airport, such as booking travel insurance or researching the local attractions online while in the departure lounge. swiftcover.com offers travel insurance online from just £5.00 per person.