A LiveCareer survey of 1,003 employed Americans confirms what many managers already suspect: paid time off (PTO) exists on paper, yet millions feel uneasy about using it.
Conducted on May 7, the poll shows 59% of workers report some level of “PTO anxiety,” even though almost half (45%) receive more than two weeks of leave each year. The findings spotlight a widening gap between generous benefit statements and real-world take-up.
Why employees stay at their desks
Three overlapping barriers keep employees tethered to their laptops:
- Heavy workloads. About 49% say projects pile up so quickly that leaving is unrealistic.
- Cultural pressure. Over 30% sense unspoken expectations to let days expire, while 9% say their bosses openly discourage vacations.
- Leadership signals. Around 20% are less likely to unplug if their managers never do.
These factors feed a cycle of worry. Nearly 20% fear falling behind, 19% dread missing opportunities, 12% fret about looking uncommitted, and 8% even fear layoffs if they step away.
The vacation gap widens
Generous PTO allowances are common. Twenty percent of U.S. employees receive 21 days or more of PTO annually, and 9% enjoy unlimited leave. Mid-range plans are widespread. At least 16% get 11 to 15 days, 14% receive six to 10, and 11% collect seven days or fewer. Meanwhile, 18% get none at all.
But vacation intentions tell a different story. More than half plan to take fewer than six days this summer. Instead, 16% opt for a long weekend, 31% take a break for four to six days, and 33% unplug for a week. Only 21% go on leave for longer than seven days.
These numbers echo a 2024 Harris Poll showing 78% of U.S. workers left PTO unused, especially millennials and Gen Z, who fear missing deadlines or appearing disengaged.
Unused leave costs companies twice. Burned-out talent walks out the door, and PTO liabilities sit on balance sheets. “Vacation benefits become a hollow perk if people don’t feel comfortable cashing them in,” warns LiveCareer career expert Toni Frana. She urges firms to pair policies with workload planning, vocal support from managers, and visible examples set by leadership.
What would help people unplug?
Asked what would boost confidence to take a break, 51% cite stronger personal finances, underscoring how inflation makes travel expensive. A further 25% want clear backup coverage for their duties, 18% seek more supportive managers or mental health days, and 12% need reassurance that layoffs are not looming.
LiveCareer recommends three quick fixes:
- Document handover protocols so that projects continue smoothly.
- Publicize leadership vacations to normalize time off.
- Audit workloads and deadlines to ensure they don’t punish employees for stepping away.
Without such measures, the data suggest that American workers will keep stockpiling PTO and the anxiety that comes with it long after summer.
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Once, L. (2025, July 19). American workers anxious about taking paid time off: LiveCareer survey. Outsource Accelerator. Retrieved from https://news.outsourceaccelerator.com/workers-anxious-time-off-livecareer/
WordlatWork Staff. Workspan Daily News Bytes for July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025, from https://worldatwork.org/publications/workspan-daily/workspan-daily-news-bytes-for-july-18-2025
