Brexit and UK politics are uppermost in clients’ minds, says Jonathan Maude, employment and labour partner at the London office of Vedder Price, the law firm. But at a recent meeting to discover their most pressing concerns, one worry came up repeatedly — how to persuade employees to go on holiday.
Workers, he says, are opting to stay at their desks, often because of anxiety over Brexit, and are keen to prove they are indispensable. “Employees who feel less secure in their jobs may worry that their employer will cope too well during their absence and recognise that they are not needed,” says Mr Maude. In doing so, they are causing problems for their own health and for managers trying to avoid burnout in their teams.
As Europe and the US approach the summer holiday season, line managers may discover employees have failed to plan for and book time off.