The majority of employed American adults (59 percent) check work emails during traditional family holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., a survey finds. Of these, 55 percent check work email at least once a day and 28 percent do so multiple times throughout the day.
American workers continue to be inundated with email at work and this latest survey shows that there is no sign of slowing down during the holiday season with 79 percent of those that check email while on holiday stating that they have received a work-related email from a colleague or client on holidays. The onslaught of work is leading to growing contempt by American workers with 41 percent of those that ever received work emails from a co-worker/client while they had time off for the holidays saying they are either annoyed, frustrated or resentful after receiving these emails. Younger adults have the strongest opinion on the matter with 56 percent ages 18-34 sharing they have the above reactions compared to just 39 percent of adults ages 35-44 and 30 percent ages 45-54. The survey also found that 12 percent of respondents actually "dread" seeing work emails populate their in box and 10 percent even feel pity for those who do send work-related emails on holidays.
Despite their displeasure with receiving work-related emails on holidays, 42 percent of those that check work email while they have time off for the holidays still believe that staying up-to-date on email eases their workloads once they return from break. Additionally, 19 percent of those of those that ever received work emails from a co-worker/client while they had time off for the holidays even cited feeling "thankful" or "relieved" at having the distraction.
Employed males are significantly more likely to check work email on holidays - 67 percent - compared to just 50 percent of women. Employed middle-aged adults feel the greatest urge, with 65 percent of those aged 35-44 stating that they have checked work emails on holidays. And while the East and West coasts are traditionally considered to be the beating hearts of capitalism in the United States, the survey found that the Southern region led the way with the most people sharing that they check work emails during the Holidays - 63 percent (compared to 57 percent for the west and 59 for the northeast).
For some, the survey found that the draw of work email is just too hard to get away from. One in 10 (10 percent) who admitted to checking email while off for a holiday stated that they did so while spending time with friends or relatives at Holiday parties/gatherings or during meals. Younger adults are more likely to do so with 15 percent of ages 18-34 compared to only 10 percent of ages 35-44 and just six percent of ages 45-54. Some of those (five percent) that check work email while they have time off for the holidays even admitted to using work email as excuse to avoid awkward family moments and other holiday commitments.
About the survey: The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Xobni from November 5th to 9th, 2010 among 2,179 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
Contact: http://www.xobni.com
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