Employers must urge staff to take their holiday entitlement, says Acas

Acas findings reveal that two-fifths of staff are taking less time off now than prior to the pandemic, with the public body encouraging staff to use up their holiday. New findings by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) shows almost two-fifths (39 per cent) of UK staff have taken less paid time off since the pandemic began. A survey carried out by YouGov, on behalf of the body, found that staff at both SMBs and large organisations were likely to have taken less time off since COVID-19. This was more prevalently seen among employees at small to medium sized businesses, with almost half (44 per cent) reporting they were either a “little less likely” or a “lot less likely” to have taken paid time off. However, this was similarly seen at large organisations too with over a third (35 per cent) stating the same. Conversely, just 5 per cent overall felt they had taken more time off compared to the same period in a normal year. Acas has insisted that taking time off allows employees to be well-rested and to maintain their physical and mental health. The body has urged workers to use their holiday entitlement within their current