A survey conducted by the Zarplata.ru research center, and reported by RIA News, reveals that one in four Russians did not use all of their paid leave in 2023. Involved in the study were 1,780 working Russians aged 25 to 55 from across the Russian Federation, providing a broad snapshot of vacation behavior across regions.
The findings show that the primary reason many workers skipped or shortened vacations was work obligations. Employers often could not delegate tasks or cover duties in the absence of staff, which left many employees pressed to stay on the job. Additionally, about one in five respondents chose not to travel or rest outside the home because travel costs were too high, and roughly 13% could not take uninterrupted time off because other team members were also on leave at the same time. These factors highlight the tension between productivity pressures and the right to holiday time, a balance many workers navigate each year.
Industry voices have weighed in on optimal vacation timing as well. Labor law expert Dmitry Kofanov has discussed which months in the calendar year are most favorable for taking leave, noting that months with more working days can influence the decision. He points to periods such as July or October in 2024 as examples where rest might be strategically planned around peak activity and staffing needs.
Earlier this year, there was chatter about how many Russians would like to take more time off in 2024, reflecting a growing interest in balancing work and leisure. Professional perspectives have also addressed the question of when employees can be denied leave, underscoring that vacation rights interact with operational requirements and company policies. The ongoing conversation underscores the complexity of scheduling holidays while maintaining business continuity, particularly in times of fluctuating workloads and rising travel costs. [Zarplata.ru survey via RIA News]