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The Chartered Management Institute’s survey found an overwhelming majority in the engineering sector (76%) will not change their travel plans, despite rising concerns about climate change. A minority (13%) suggested they might fly less and just 1 % claimed they will no longer travel by air. Only 7 % said they will holiday in the UK, with the most popular destinations listed as the Caribbean, Australia, Canada and the Greek Islands. However, signalling recognition of the need to address environmental issues, 22% in the engineering sector already offset their flights, or wider travel arrangements.

Continuing the trend of recent years, the survey shows many senior executives fail to book their full holiday allowance. 63% admitted they will not use all available days this year, a figure that has increased from 40% in 2003. With 74% in the sector suggesting that holidays help them ‘cope better with work stress’, it is also surprising that 39% of respondents intend to carry holiday time over to the next calendar year.

According to the survey results, an overwhelming majority in the sector (96%) believe holidays help them ‘recharge their batteries’, so it is surprising that 21.6 million holiday days are not taken each year by managers in the UK – a cost benefit to organisations of more than £4 billion.*

Asked why they are prepared to sacrifice time off, one-quarter in the engineering sector blamed excessive workloads. Some also admitted it was down to ‘poor personal planning’ (11%) and ‘enjoyment of work’ (4%).

With so many days remaining unused, respondents in the sector were asked if they could exchange holiday entitlement for other benefits. Surprisingly, for 65% ‘no options’ are available, but 13% said unused days could be ‘sold back’ for cash. 13% of organisations in the sector offer flexible working options as an alternative to holidays – perhaps reflecting the growth in concern over environmental and work-life balance issues.

Jo Causon, director, marketing and corporate affairs at the Chartered Management Institute, says: “Taking time off for a proper break is not a sign of weakness, so individuals should be encouraged to use their holiday entitlement to the full. With growing numbers also keen to offset their travel arrangements perhaps employers could consider carbon offsetting as an option for employees looking to exchange unused holiday time.”

The 2007 survey also explored attitudes to calls by the TUC for a new bank holiday in October. A majority of managers in the engineering sector came out in favour, with 59% supporting the concept and 9% claiming they use current holiday time to ‘get involved with voluntary or charity work’. 37% agreed that UK holiday entitlement should be ‘brought in line with EU countries’. Only 32% believe it would create disruption for employers.
 
Jo Causon comments: “The debate about creating another bank holiday is certainly gathering pace and support. The initial idea was for a bank holiday to be used to celebrate and promote community activity and there is clearly a desire for the voluntary work that so many perform to be recognised. It could also provide individuals with an opportunity to balance work commitments with a desire to support their local community, with little long-term disruption to business.”

The findings in this survey also reflect some of those found in an in-depth report exploring the ‘value of volunteering’ (January 2006). It discovered that 78% of managers are actively involved in some form of voluntary activity and that, for 60%, this takes place within their local community.