WASHINGTON — Many Americans choose going into the office over getting away, a new survey says.
At the end of 2014, Skift.com set out to find out how many Americans take all their paid vacation days. The results are not good for those who depend on tourism.
The survey found nearly 42 percent of Americans said they didn’t take a single day of vacation in 2014, even though many Americans who work full-time get at least 10 paid vacation days.
“I don’t know why anybody in their right mind would do that — just let free days go,” said Sharon Marsh of Laurel, Maryland.
Patrick Murphy, of Bethesda, Maryland, says that working in the restaurant industry, he leaves many vacation days unused.
“He needs to use his vacation days,” said Murphy’s wife, Cakkie. She quickly pointed out several destinations where they could go, including the Caribbean and Europe.
Judy Scott, of Montgomery County, is a teacher, and says people should take vacations, especially when they have paid days off available.
“That’s why the Europeans are much happier than us,” she said.
The survey found women are more likely to go without a vacation than men.
Still, not everyone allows precious vacation days go to waste: The survey also found 15 percent of Americans took more than 20 vacation days last year.
