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Who picks up the slack while you're on holiday?

Xtra! recently reported that ITers were taking their stress with them on holiday but a new survey has shown that temperatures are...

Published: 05 Sep 2002 13:01
Xtra! recently reported that ITers were taking their stress with them on holiday but a new survey has shown that temperatures are also soaring for those workers left behind, writes Nathalie Towner.

Eighty-six per cent of staff claim the resource gap created by colleagues taking holidays creates a drastic increase in workloads and sends stress levels sky-high.

According to a survey by recruitment consultancy Office Angels more than 67% of office staff claim they work about six hours a week extra covering for absent colleagues.

The survey, conducted among 1,500 office employees and employers, shows 64% of office workers dread the summer months. Only 25% prefer the positive aspect of summer in the office - the peace and quiet when people are away.

More than two-thirds (70%) of employees say a major bone of contention with holidaying colleagues is inadequate hand-over: 35% complain about being left to shoulder the extra workload, through sacrificing their lunch breaks; while 20% stay late at the office.

Despite the complaints more than half (52%) will complete work delegated by colleagues who are on holiday, as they expect the favour to be returned.

Only 10% find it acceptable to ignore work piling up in the in-trays of colleagues who are away.

Now that the holiday season is nearly over ITers could capitalise on the long lead-time and begin to prepare those hand-over notes for Christmas.

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