Quiet Vacationing: The Latest Trend Exciting Millennials

A rising workplace trend among American millennials, termed “quiet vacationing,” is quietly reshaping traditional approaches to taking time off. Rather than formally requesting leave, these employees slip away under the radar while maintaining the appearance of business as usual. A recent Harris Poll of 1,170 employed US adults revealed that 37% of millennial workers have taken time off without informing their managers.

This trend reflects millennials’ preference for managing their work-life balance discreetly, unlike their more vocal Gen Z counterparts. While maintaining productivity, quiet vacationing allows for essential rest and rejuvenation.

The Out of Office Culture Report by Harris Poll surveyed 1,170 US employees, with 78% reporting they had never taken paid time off. However, 75% expressed a desire for more flexible time-off policies.

The poll encompassed various age groups, including 166 Gen Z (18–27), 486 millennials (28–43), 365 Gen X (44–59), and 153 Baby Boomers (60 and over). Among millennials, 37% admitted to taking time off without notifying their supervisors.

Millennials, comprising over 40% of the workforce, strive to maintain the facade of continuous productivity. Some resort to tactics like jiggling their computer mouse or sending emails after office hours to create the impression of extended work hours.

Quiet vacationing is just one strategy employed by millennials to appear productive. Others include sending messages outside of regular hours or using software to simulate activity on communication platforms like Slack.

While “quiet quitting” gained popularity in 2022 to describe employees disengaged with their workload, quiet vacationing isn’t necessarily synonymous with disengagement. Instead, it provides a subtle means for employees to prioritize personal time without disrupting their professional image. However, it may lead to increased absenteeism if not managed effectively.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the People.