Worried Brits sacrifice summer holidays to save jobs

Nearly a quarter of Brits (24 per cent) will miss out on summer holidays this year, due to financial pressures, mounting workloads, and fear of being made redundant, research released by insurer swiftcover.com has found.

The research, conducted as part of swiftcover.com's quarterly Life Index - which rates the nation's feelings across all aspects of life - also found that of those who would be taking a holiday this year, many would be likely to have to work during their time off: five million said that they will check their emails daily, while 1.5 million will have to carry out work duties while on holiday. Moreover, 1.25 million UK holiday makers will make "regular" calls to their office, and 1.3 million chose a destination that would allow them to work from holiday.

Asked why they will forgo their holiday, the majority (66 per cent) cited financial pressures as being the main reason, while more than half a million (580,000) said that they were worried about job security and wanted to commit more time to work. Meanwhile, 550,000 of those who would not be taking a holiday blamed the threat of redundancy, and said that they needed to be seen to be working in the office.

Amanda Edwards, senior marketing manager at swiftcover.com commented: "The country is still gripped with concern by economic conditions so Brits are understandably worried about the impact having a holiday may have on their jobs. According to our research, not only are huge numbers of people sacrificing their holidays to fend off the threat of job loss, but those going away for a break are having to report back to the office on work while away."

Those aged 45 to 54 years old are most likely to sacrifice their holiday this year, with 41 per cent missing out; compared to 28 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds and nearly a third (32 per cent) of 25 to 34 year olds. However, savvy 25 to 34 year olds are four times more likely to choose a destination that allows them to work while on holiday than older travellers, enabling them to work while on holiday and avoid having to stay in the office.

Edwards concluded: "Summer holidays are a chance to relax and recuperate after a period of hard work, and the benefits of taking time off are well-documented. Brits working full time are entitled to at least 28 days of paid leave, and using the time off to relax or travel will broaden your horizons, open your eyes to new things and allow you to return to work feeling more productive and focused."

However, apart from concerns about holidays and job security, we are significantly happier than we were three months ago thanks to more people being content with their incomes and social lives.

How happy are we?

When asked how happy people were in April 2011, half said (51 per cent) either quite or extremely happy. When asked again three months later, it has increased to two thirds (65 per cent).

But how does this compare to last year? A quarter of people (24 per cent) said they were happier than they were a year ago while 56 per cent said they felt the same. Both up on April, at 21 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.

But is this the happiest time of our lives? Amazingly 42 per cent say that they are currently the happiest they have ever been, this increases from 27 per cent in April. So what has changed?

What's changed since April...

Not much in real terms, although we are moderately happier with income and social life, which are the only things that have seen a slight increase. Crucially, we have not seen a reduction in happiness in any areas of our lives.

Despite our rising levels of happiness, we are slightly more concerned by our job security, the strength of our relationship, and the financial pressure we are under compared to April. Finally, there has been an increase in the level of concern in domestic and social security.

New for June Life Index

Local Govt:
58 per cent of UK adults are unhappy with cuts to services
Nearly a third (30 per cent) don't think local govt know what they are doing
Reduced healthcare is worrying for one in four adults (26 per cent

Government:
Reduced healthcare is worrying for half of adults (46 per cent)
44 per cent don't think government know what they are doing (less faith than local)
41 per cent are worried about unemployment
31 per cent are concerned by international affairs