French most likely to use all vacation, Japanese least: poll

NEW YORK, Aug 6 (Reuters Life!) - Although a vacation can
be a good chance to get away from the stresses of work, only
two-thirds of employees globally use all the holidays they are
given by their organization, according to a joint
Reuters/Ipsos.

The survey of about 12,500 people in 24 countries found
French employees were the most likely to take advantage of the
days granted, with 89 percent using up all of their days.

They were followed by Argentinians with 80 percent using
all their vacation days, then Hungarians at 78 percent and
Britons at 77 percent.

But at the other end of the scale Japanese workers were the
least likely to use all their vacations days. Only 33 percent
would take off all the time given.

They were followed by 47 percent of workers in South Africa
taking their full leave entitlement, 53 percent in South Korea
and 57 percent in the United States.

"There are lots of reasons why people don't use up vacation
days but most often it's because they feel obligated to their
work and put it over other more important things, including
their own health and welfare," said John Wright, senior vice
president of global market and opinion research firm Ipsos.

"Workers should remember that there are graveyards full of
indispensable people," he added.

Wright said there appeared to be virtually no difference in
terms of demographics when it came to taking leave with about
two-third of high and low income earners taking all the days
available.

Slightly more younger people would take all their leave
than people aged over 50.

"But there was a slight (difference) as business owners and
senior executive/decision leaders at 60 percent are the least
likely to use up all of the holidays granted them," he said.

Workers most likely to use all leave:

France 89 percent

Argentina 80 percent

Hungary 78 percent

Britain 77 percent

Spain 77 percent

Saudi Arabia 76 percent

Germany 75 percent

Belgium 74 percent

Turkey 74 percent

Indonesia 70 percent

Mexico 67 percent

Russia 67 percent

Italy 66 percent

Poland 66 percent

China 65 percent

Sweden 63 percent

Brazil 59 percent

India 59 percent

Canada 58 percent

United States 57 percent

South Korea 53 percent

Australia 47 percent

South Africa 47 percent

Japan 33 percent

Other Reuters/Ipsos polls can be found here

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Patricia Reaney)