Summer Slacking? Korn Ferry Survey of Professionals Finds Work Productivity Goes Down as Vacation Season Kicks into High Gear

– A Quarter of Respondents Admit to Playing ‘Hooky’ to Enjoy Summer Fun –

– Nearly a Third Say Their Companies Are More Laid Back in Summer –

Editor’s Note: Survey Responses at End of News Release

Summer. It’s the season millions of Americans look forward to each year. However, a recent survey of professionals by Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) shows that work productivity may suffer at the expense of summer fun.

One quarter (25 percent) of professionals admit to playing “hooky” from work to enjoy the season, and nearly half (46 percent) say their personal productivity at work slumps in the summer. More than three-quarters (78 percent) feel that the productivity of their colleagues takes a hit during this time of year.

Nearly half (41 percent) say it’s harder to get projects done in the summer, although 44 percent believe they can personally be more productive when their colleagues/bosses are out of the office on summer vacation.

“Taking time away from the office to recharge and get some distance from day-to-day work challenges is key for professionals to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which leads to greater productivity when they are back on the job,” said Dennis Baltzley, Korn Ferry’s global solution leader for leadership development. “However, the pace of business, growth, and profitability don’t take a summer vacation, so companies need to work with employees through more effective teaming, to make sure projects and tasks still progress.”

Nearly a third (31 percent) of professionals say their companies are more laid back in the summer, and 29 percent say their company offers amended summer work hours, such as working half days on Fridays.

More than a third (39 percent) of professionals say their company takes advantage of the season by offering team-building events in the summer.

About the survey

There were 1,060 responses to the online executive survey, which took place in May 2019. Please note that due to rounding, responses may not equal 100 percent.

Survey Responses

To what extent would you agree that your personal productivity at work slumps in the summer?

        
      
      
        
          To a great extent
        
        
          4 percent
        
      
      
        
          To some extent
        
        
          42 percent
        
      
      
        
          To no extent
        
        
          54 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

To what extent would you agree that the productivity of your work colleagues slumps in the summer?

        
      
      
        
          To a great extent
        
        
          5 percent
        
      
      
        
          To some extent
        
        
          73 percent
        
      
      
        
          To no extent
        
        
          22 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Have you ever played “hooky” from work to enjoy the summer season?

        
        
        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          25 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          75 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Is it harder to get projects done during the summer months?

        
        
        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          41 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          59 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

In general, is your company more laid back in the summer?

        
        
        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          31 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          69 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Does your company offer amended work hours in the summer (e.g., working half days on Fridays)?

        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          29 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          71 percent
        
      
      
        
        
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Does your company offer team-building summer events outside the office?

        
        
        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          39 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          61 percent
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Do you feel more productive when colleagues/bosses are on summer vacation?

        
        
        
      
      
        
          Yes
        
        
          44 percent
        
      
      
        
          No
        
        
          56 percent
        
      
    
    

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm. We help clients synchronize strategy and talent to drive superior performance. We work with organizations to design their structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people to bring their strategy to life. And we advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their people.

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