Poll: How Much Vacation Time Do You Take?

Thursday July 26, 2007

Small business owners are notorious for not taking vacations. In fact, according to a survey on vacation time commissioned by Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., nearly 50 percent of small business owners take only major holidays off, or nothing at all.

And of those small business owners who did say that they were taking some vacation time, 66 percent will take only one week off.

This was a survey of American small business owners and it got me wondering if a survey of Canadian small business owners would show the same results. Which of course means a poll question! Please take a minute to read the options in the online poll to the right and vote to say how much vacation time you're taking this summer.

I'd also appreciate your comments on whether you feel the vacation time you take is sufficient for you. Is it doing a good enough job of recharging your batteries or do you feel that you should be taking more time off?

I have to confess I match the Sam's Club survey profile. I think I took a four day vacation about five years ago - but I'd have to check. Normally I just snatch a day here and there, depending on what's going on - mainly because I can't imagine my business running along smoothly without me.

These two articles give me hope that I can (and should) take more time off in the future. If you're also a reluctant vacationer, you'll want to read them too.