Maine workers rank No. 1 nationally for taking vacations
Photo / Renee Cordes
Taking time off in Vacationland: Maine workers rank No. 1 nationally in terms of vacation usage, says a report released in Washington, D.C.
When it comes to taking time off from work, Mainers outshine their peers in all other states, according to a new report.
It found that in 2016 only 38% of Maine workers had leftover paid vacation time, in part because of better vacation cultures at their workplaces. That compares to a national average of 55% who left time on the table.
The revelations are in a study by “Project: Time Off,” an initiative by the U.S Travel Association to “win back Americans’ unused vacation days,” which has economic consequences.
Last year more than 662 million vacation days went unused in the country, resulting in losses of $236 billion in spending, 1.8 million jobs and $70 billion of potential income.
Out of the 662 million unused days, 206 million are forfeited forever, amounting to $66 million in unused benefits.
Maine was the star of the “states where vacation rules” group, followed by Hawaii at a close second with 39% leaving vacation time untouched in the Aloha state.
Overall, Mainers were less affected by barriers to taking time off, especially fear of being considered for a raise or promotion, and reported better vacation cultures at their companies. More than half (54%) of working-age Mainers surveyed said their company encourages time off, well above the 33% national average.
Tony Cameron, director of marketing and communications for the Maine Tourism Association, wasn’t surprised by the findings.
“We live in a state that’s very recreational,” he told Mainebiz. “They come here for a work-life balance … There’s a reason we have the name ‘Vacationland.’”
To make sure that trend continues, Maine Tourism Association has launched a television and social media campaign reminding Mainers to take time off. One video, on the group’s website, shows working stiffs how much they miss out on — like weddings and time with friends — from being all work and no play.
Cameron said the campaign will run at least all summer.
“We just want people to get out and to use their vacation time,” he added.
At the other end of the spectrum, Idaho was found to be the most under-vacationed state in the national survey, with 78% of workers leaving earned time off unused in 2016.
Since the mid-1970s, Americans are taking on average about one week less vacation per year, the study found. While average vacation usage remained constant at 20 days from 1976 to 2000, the number has gone done to around 16 days in the last 15 years.
Interestingly, the Maine Tourism Association found in its own research for “Project: Time Off:” that Millennials are among the “worst offenders” in wasting vacation benefits, Cameron said.
“It’s scary,” he said. “because in a few years they’re going to be the managers. If that attitude isn’t changed now, they’re going to be promoting that attitude.”
Find the full report including state rankings and interactive maps here.
Findings were based on an online survey conducted by GfK of 7,331 working-age adults in all 50 states who work more than 35 hours a week and get paid time off from their employers.
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