One of the biggest issues facing the promo industry during the COVID-19 pandemic is the overabundance of unused paid time off (PTO).

We all needed an escape in 2020, but with government-imposed lockdowns and travel restrictions, there was nowhere to go. Even employees that had plenty of PTO weren’t encouraged to use it because of pandemic-related staffing cuts. So, where did it all go? And for those that did get away from work, how did they spend their time?

In this episode of Promo Insiders, Executive Editor Theresa Hegel talks with Senior Writer John Corrigan about his feature story on the promo industry’s inability (and refusal) to take time off.

Podcast Chapters (only available on desktop)
1:02: How much PTO was unused in 2020
2:59: The impact of working from home
4:40: Reasons for not taking PTO
6:02: Companies should encourage taking time off
6:51: How much PTO promo firms offer
8:23: How people spent their time off
11:00: Health benefits of taking vacation
12:30: Creative alternatives for getting away
15:18: Companies who adjusted their PTO policy

Nearly half of the promo industry used less PTO in 2020 than they did in 2019, according to ASI data. Travel restrictions was a major contributor with many vacations scrapped because either people couldn’t fly or didn’t feel safe. Even if they did go somewhere, there were limits on activities, such as wearing a mask when you left your hotel room. Plus, with most people working from home, there was no need to get away from the office. For example, Patti Morisset, the creative merchandise director at Kaye-Smith (asi/239444), didn’t even take a sick day.

47% of promo professionals used less PTO in 2020 than they did in 2019. – ASI data

And then there’s those who felt like they couldn’t take PTO. With so many cuts across the board and workforces being reduced, people had extra responsibility on their plate. Indicative of smaller promo firms, PEGG Products (asi/292782) in Houston was running double the hours on half the staff.

Hopefully, more people take PTO in 2021. After all, there are decades of studies illustrating the benefits of vacation: stress reduction, heart disease prevention, better sleep, newfound creativity and increased productivity, just to name a few.

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