Survey Reveals Average Engineer Takes Just 18 Days Holiday a Year
According to a recent survey, plumbers, gas engineers and other tradespeople take just 18 days of holiday each year (on average), compared to the 28 days of paid holiday which the average full-time worker in the UK is entitled to.
The survey regarding holiday preferences and work-life balance was conducted by boiler manufacturer, Glow-worm, with OnePoll. The 300 tradespeople who participated reported that their annual holiday is well below the national average.
In terms of what prevents engineers and plumbers from taking holiday, 30% of plumbers and gas engineers and 39% of electricians stated that a busy work schedule was one of the main factors. In addition, 39% of plumbers and gas engineers and a third of electricians, carpenters and builders said that the cost of taking a holiday – in terms of lost income – was also a barrier.
This reluctance or struggle to take regular time off and the money concerns which often come with being self-employed can have significant impact on a person's mental health. Around 49% of tradespeople and 45% plumbers and gas engineers stated that 'taking regular holidays is necessary for good mental health'.
Commercial Director at Glow-worm, Spencer Clark, said: "Time off should be viewed as an investment in your wellbeing, rather than a detraction from your usual earnings. It doesn't have to be a full week; even just a day spent winding down and doing something enjoyable can help to reset your mind and make you more productive when you do return to work.
"We know that time away from work can help to improve well-being and increase productivity, making initiatives like [Glow-worm’s] Mystery Trip invaluable to tradespeople who feel as though they can't any time off the job."
