Finns working during vacation has become a growing trend, with over half of employees admitting they keep up with work duties while on leave. Checking emails and responding to urgent matters have become part of many people’s holiday routine.
A recent survey commissioned by HR company SD Worx found that 52 percent of Finnish workers regularly handle some remote work during their vacation. This included people at all job levels, from entry-level employees to managers and business owners.
Mikko Uotila, the country director for SD Worx Finland, explained that this change reflects how digital tools have blurred the lines between work and rest. “Smartphones and email make full disconnection nearly impossible. Even checking emails once or twice a week keeps work present,” Uotila said in a company statement.
Only 15 percent of those surveyed said they manage to completely disconnect during holidays. Almost half admitted to checking emails at least once a week while on vacation. About one in four reported daily email checks, usually for under 15 minutes each time.
Entrepreneurs were the most involved group, with more than half checking their emails every day. Although their email sessions were brief, their total time spent was higher than other workers.
Gender differences were slight but noticeable. Around 90 percent of men said they read or replied to work messages occasionally during holidays. A slightly smaller number of women reported the same.
The survey also explored how likely people are to interrupt their vacation for work emergencies. More than half said they would do so. Approximately 14 percent said they would be willing to work more than three hours a day during their vacation if necessary.
This data comes from research firm Bilend, which surveyed roughly 1,000 Finnish residents aged between 18 and 75.
This new normal of Finns working during vacation shows how the digital age challenges traditional holiday breaks. Employers and workers alike are adapting to this shift, but questions remain about the impact on well-being and work-life balance.
