If you’re not heading out of the office the first week of August, you may want to book that holiday in now. New research has revealed that an estimated 7m Brits will be setting their ‘out of offices’ for the week of the 5 August.
A study by Cornerstone OnDemand, which surveyed over 2,000 UK adults, showed that this will be the most popular week for Brits to take time off this summer, with almost a quarter (22%) taking holiday that week.
For those left behind in the office it may be a busy week, with most Brits (87%) taking on a colleague’s workload in their absence. Furthermore, a third (34%) of workplaces have no structure in place for handing over work when someone is planning to be away.
However, while two-fifths (41%) of Brits feel guilty heading off on holiday and handing over their work, don’t panic if you’re left behind, it also presents an opportunity. The research also revealed that handling others’ work is a chance to learn and develop, with 39% of Brits learning more skills as a result of taking on a colleague’s work.
| Employees feeling the guiltiest handing over work | |
| City | Percentage |
| Oxford | 59% |
| Norwich | 52% |
| London | 50% |
| Glasgow | 38% |
| Leeds | 38% |
| Birmingham | 38% |
| Newcastle | 37% |
| Bristol | 35% |
| Manchester | 34% |
| Liverpool | 33% |
This is particularly the case if taking on work from a more senior colleague. When covering for more senior colleagues, the study showed that two-fifths (40%) of Brits learn more advanced skills and gain a better idea of what that role involves and a third (32%) have learnt more taking on a senior colleague’s work than in their own role.
Another two-fifths (40%) feel that other colleagues trust them to take on more responsibility after taking on a more senior colleague’s work and in general, a third (33%) of Brits feel more confident when colleagues come back from their time off.
Susan Hilliar, Head of Comms, Cornerstone OnDemand said, “Rather than forlornly scrolling through colleagues’ holiday Instagram pics, Brits are starting to realise that people being away may in fact be an opportunity to grow professionally.
“With British employers facing a lack of talent, employees continuously learning and upskilling is even more important and the summer months could be the perfect time to hone and upgrade skills. Having that glimpse into colleagues’ job roles also means that they’re more likely to recognise potential career opportunities within their own organisation and how they can carve out that desired career path.
“Those left behind in the office that first week of August don’t need to panic, seize the opportunity to develop and learn new skills.”
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