It's All About People - 21st August 2025

READ TIME - 4 minute read

I’ve just come back from a proper break. No emails. No checking in.
And no guilt – because I trust my team, and I know the business is in good hands.

Equally my team never work on holiday or check emails - and they know if they did I would be straight on to asking why and making sure they don’t need to.

But not everyone feels able to do the same.

According to recent research:

• Half of UK workers don’t use all their annual leave entitlement

• 1 in 3 regularly works while on holiday

• And presenteeism (working while unwell or overworked) is at a record high – with 81% of employers saying they've seen it in their organisations

That’s not sustainable.

Holidays aren’t just a perk. They’re a legal right – and more importantly, a business need.
When people rest properly, they return sharper, more motivated, and more engaged.

So as we approach the end of August – traditionally a peak for staycations and late summer breaks – it’s worth asking:

• Have your team used their leave?

• Do they feel able to fully switch off?

• Are your managers modelling healthy behaviours?

It might just take a few simple things:

• Encouraging people to review leave balances now (to avoid end-of-year logjams)

• Making it clear that you don’t expect email replies during time off

• And creating a culture where trust means people don’t feel they have to prove they’re “still working”

We talk a lot about wellbeing and burnout – but this is where it starts.

Best wishes,
Emma

Events to Join in the coming weeks

🎥 Free Webinar- Managing Sickness Absence - — understanding the real costs, reducing absenteeism, and preparing for the 2026 changes.

🎥 Free Webinar- Managing Conflict - — coming in the next few weeks, the next in our series of free webinars. Click on the title to join the waiting list.

🎥 LinkedIn Live on Sexual Harassment Legislation and How to Be Complaint - Click on re-watch it.

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