Holidays at top of Kiwis' wishlist

Taking a holiday was ranked ahead of finding money or getting a tax refund. Photo / Thinkstock

New Zealanders lag behind rest of world in taking time off, as nearly half admit to feeling deprived

As New Zealanders head back to the office in droves this week, a new report has found they are not using all their annual leave.

Kiwis are on average taking only 17 of the 20 days of annual leave entitlement, saying it's because of a hectic work schedule, financial reasons or wanting to save them for a longer break, according to Expedia's annual holiday deprivation report.

The report, released today, found that the number of New Zealanders feeling in need of a holiday dropped 5 per cent to 47 per cent compared with the previous year, with up to 90 per cent of the workforce saying they felt more relaxed and happier returning to work after a holiday.

Expedia Australia and New Zealand managing director Georg Ruebensal said the report found Kiwis should make the most of all of their annual leave entitlement for a happier, well-balanced lifestyle.

"Expedia's 2014 Vacation Deprivation report has once again shown New Zealanders see huge personal value in regular holidays, but feel hamstrung by everyday life when it comes to scheduling time off - falling well behind other countries like Germany and Brazil who see the virtue in rest and recuperation, utilising majority-to-all of their annual leave."

Taking a holiday was also the best way to make Kiwis happy, with 50 per cent ranking it ahead of finding money, getting a tax refund, being told they looked younger than their age and birthdays. And more than 80 per cent said regular holidays were important to their relationship with their partner and helped them feel better connected to friends and family. They also felt better rested, with 41 per cent having eight hours sleep on holiday, compared with only 25 per cent having the recommended amount when at home.

James Dunne, a partner at public and employment law firm Chen Palmer, said employers were not required to make their staff take all their annual entitlement leave each year if they did not want to.

But Christmas closedowns where employers had to use annual leave over that time were permitted.

"It is a good idea to encourage employees to take leave regularly and try to create a culture of taking regular breaks - it's part of being a good employer. Most people I think would probably take two or three weeks over Christmas and then try to take another week off during the year."

Council of Trade Unions secretary Sam Huggard said generally it was not a good idea to stockpile leave, although people might want to hold on to days for a longer holiday or the unexpected.

"It's in everyone's interest - the workers, their employers, their families - to have a decent break and to go back feeling refreshed."

The numbers

• 47% of Kiwis more happy on holiday than when finding money, getting a tax refund, being told they look younger than their years and birthdays

• 47% of Kiwis feel holiday-deprived

• 73% of workers in the UAE felt they needed a holiday - making it the most holiday-deprived nation

• 7,855 employed adults were surveyed across 24 countries, including 300 employed New Zealanders over 18

- Source: Expedia