One in Five Brits Bring Their Work Laptop on Holiday

• Over half (59%) of Brits admit to logging on and working whilst on holiday
• This includes spending almost 1.5 hours on average a week reading emails, followed by almost another 1.5 hours attending virtual or in-person meetings
• Over 5 million^[1] Brits have quit a role in the past due to the pressure of having to work during annual leave, while a further 3 million^[2] plan to do so in the future

New research from Totaljobs reveals a growing struggle among Brits to switch off from work, even while on holiday. Nearly three in five (59%)¹ admit to logging on and working on holiday, with one in five (20%) going as far as bringing their work laptop away with them.

The research, which surveyed 2,000 adults in the UK, revealed that 19% of Brits also actively encourage colleagues or clients to contact them while they’re away, while 17% leave work notifications on on their personal phones.

These behaviours point to a growing “leavism” culture in workplaces, where annual leave is no longer a protected time for rest, but an extension of the working week.

The Holiday Hussle

The research reveals that over half of Brits (53%) - amounting to almost 30 million^[3] - check their work emails while on annual leave, and spend almost 1.5 hours a week on average doing so. This is followed by 44% checking their work-related messaging on platforms like Slack and Teams, turning what should be downtime into desk time.

Other work time-drains on annual leave include:

• Carrying out work-related research (42%): 19 minutes per day on average
• Attending virtual or in-person meetings (36%): 17 minutes on average
• Reviewing work for other team members (39%): 16 minutes per day on average

Workplace Worries

The leading motivation for working during time off is the inability to switch off, with 17% admitting they find it hard to disconnect from their job. Meanwhile, 15% say they work on holiday because it helps them stay on top of their targets, while just over one in ten (11%) report feeling obligated to work by their employer, highlighting unrealistic expectations in the workplace.

Other motivations include:

• Being worried about losing a client (10%)
• Feeling guilty about being offline (10%)
• Not having enough resource to pick up their work while their away (10%)
• To help get a promotion (10%)

The Knock-on Effect

The pressure to stay online is also influencing career decisions. Almost 5.5 million¹ Brits (10%) have quit a role in the past due to the pressure of having to work during their annual leave, while a further almost 3.4 million² (6%) say they are planning to do so. This growing dissatisfaction highlights how blurred boundaries between work and rest are not just affecting wellbeing - they’re actively driving people to walk away from roles.

As a result, over a third (37%) of Brits say they prioritise employers who respect annual leave when job hunting, and almost a quarter (21%) avoid roles with vague annual leave policies.

Nicola Weatherhead, Vice President of People at Totaljobs (part of The Stepstone Group) said: “The ability to disconnect from work is essential for maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. Yet our research shows that many employees feel unable to switch off during their holidays. Whether it’s due to internal pressure, unrealistic employer expectations, or a fear of falling behind, this ‘always on’ culture is taking a toll.

“Businesses have a responsibility to create environments where rest is respected and encouraged. This isn’t just about wellbeing, it’s a strategic move to attract and retain quality talent. Including clear, visible annual leave policies in job ads, and fostering a culture that supports time off signals to candidates that their time is valued. When employees feel confident taking the rest they need, it builds trust and loyalty, driving long-term success.”