Millennials Are Secretly Taking Time Off While Faking Work

The 'Quiet Vacation' Trend Among Millennials

According to УНІАН — Туризм: A new workplace trend called 'quiet vacations' is emerging, primarily among millennials. Employees secretly take time off while pretending to still be working. Research suggests this behavior stems from anxiety and the fear of losing one’s job-concerns shared by many workers today. The 'quiet vacation' trend follows the earlier phenomenon known as 'quiet quitting.'

According to a Harris Poll survey, nearly 40% of Generation Y workers-those born from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s-have taken a vacation at least once without informing their managers. Another study by Resume Builder in 2024 found that 43% of those who practice 'quiet vacations' take up to three days off at the company’s expense. One in four employees engaging in this behavior takes an entire workweek off.

Reasons and Consequences of 'Quiet Vacations'

Anxiety is the primary driver pushing workers to such extreme measures. Specifically, 2 out of 5 employees worry about how taking paid leave might affect their job security. Four out of 10 millennials take quiet vacations, while members of Generation Z, Generation X, and baby boomers are less likely to conceal their time off.

In response, retreats have emerged for those seeking solitude and rest. These programs are offered in various locations, including:

• Mystras, Greece
• Île de Ré, France
• Granada, Spain
• Somerset County, United Kingdom

Kyle Elliott notes that if an employee who usually responds to messages quickly suddenly starts replying with delays or at unusual hours, it could indicate they are working from a different time zone or actually on vacation.

Ultimately, the 'quiet vacation' trend reflects a shift in workplace culture, especially among younger generations seeking to balance personal life with professional duties. Given rising stress and anxiety levels in the work environment, this phenomenon may signal that companies need to rethink their management approaches and foster a healthier work climate.