top of page

40% Of Professionals Struggle To Reignite After Holidays


As summer draws to a close, a new global poll from Insights reveals a concerning trend in workplace sentiment: 40% of professionals report a “slow start” when returning from holiday, and 25% are even reconsidering their career direction.


Experts call this trend the post-vacation turnover effect - a period when returning employees may be most at risk of disengagement or departure.


David Bowes, Head of People at Insights said:

“For many, the return from summer holidays marks a psychological reset - as proven by these results. Time off is often a catalyst for reflection and for some, that reflection prompts major career re-evaluation."

“For leaders and HR teams, the message is clear: the return-from-holiday window is a prime opportunity to re-engage staff and strengthen retention. By not doing so, they may risk losing some of their best people."


“Post-summer is a strategic moment to reset energy, rebuild connection, and renew purpose. Leaders who approach it with empathy, planning, and a people-first mindset can transform a potential slump into a launchpad for high performance.”


The new findings build on existing research showing that workplace anxiety after time off is widespread. Studies suggest up to 75% of employees feel apprehensive about returning after the summer break - a phenomenon sometimes compared to “Sunday Scaries” that stretch far beyond weekends.


How to create renewed momentum

To explore solutions, Insights spoke with L&D professionals, HR leaders, and executive coaches worldwide about how human-centred leadership can turn post-holiday risk into renewed momentum.


Rachel Galloway, HR Business Partner and Insights Practitioner at Eaton Manufacturing:

“Set yourself – and your team – up for success by planning ahead before taking time off. Clear critical priorities and ensure no urgent deliverables are due during your absence. Since emails can be time-consuming, review and flag important messages with task reminders and deadlines before you leave."

“Communicate your availability to your team and designate a clear point of contact to maintain continuity. Finally, block the first few hours of your first day back to catch up on communications and meeting invites. This simple preparation supports a calm, focused return and helps you mentally switch off, knowing everything is in place.”


Al Goel, Global Learning Leader, Insights Practitioner and former Sanofi and Deloitte Executive:

“When people return, I prioritise brief, informal check-ins. These aren’t status updates, they’re human moments. I ask, ‘How was your time away?’ and genuinely listen."

“This small act builds psychological safety and trust, especially important post-vacation. I’ll also ask how I can support them with immediate priorities to ease the transition and help them regain momentum. It sets a tone of care before diving into tasks.”


Andy Dowling, Chief Executive of The Colour Works:

“Too often, holiday planning is treated like an afterthought. But when people leave work anxious, they’re not recharging - they’re bracing. One motto we live by is: ‘We want the best of you, not what’s left of you.’

“Treat holidays as part of delivery planning. Make it a shared, upfront agreement, and ensure cover is in place. When they return, make time for a proper check-in:


‘We missed you, welcome back!’

‘Here’s what you missed, and how can we support you to get back in flow?’


A smooth return is much easier when you’ve built the runway before take-off.”


Gerben Willemse, L&D Consultant and Owner of Light Up!, based in the Netherlands:

“Invite your team to share one or two insights from their holiday - either in a virtual space like Teams or physically, on a flipchart in the office. Start by sharing your own reflections: What did your time away teach you as a leader? What might you do differently this month?

“Yes, you’ll get humorous answers like ‘drink more wine at work’ or ‘bring back siestas’ but beneath that humour you’re actually building connections, creativity, and long-term engagement.”

Most Read

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

Once regarded as an occasional treat or a post-pub indulgence, pizza has risen—like a well-proofed dough—to claim a central spot in...

Packing Their Trunks

Packing Their Trunks

Two Asian elephants have travelled across the country, in a move to boost the conservation breeding programme for the endangered species....

Aldi Now Scotland's Second Biggest Supermarket By Volume

Aldi Now Scotland's Second Biggest Supermarket By Volume

Aldi Scotland has overtaken Asda for the first time to become Scotland’s second largest supermarket by volume, new data from Kantar has...

Categories

  • Writer: Linda Andrews - Editorial Assistant, Nuse Online
    Linda Andrews - Editorial Assistant, Nuse Online
  • Jan 30, 2024
  • 3 min read

ree

Fast-growing electronic waste specialist Intelligent Waste Management Ltd (iWaste) has made three strategic new hires as business demand increases.


The Berkshire-based company has bolstered its IT and sales teams with the appointments of Dan Price, Joe Hartley and James Massey.


Dan was previously an apprentice at iWaste, which provides electronic waste collection services, secure data destruction, electronic recycling equipment and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) disposal for corporations, public sector organisations and businesses across the UK.


He left seven years ago to explore other options and has now returned as IT Technician Team Leader, heading an IT department of four people which was created around him.


iWaste Director Sam Prentice said:

“Dan was previously with us as an apprentice at the start of his career and has returned to the fold with a wealth of experience in IT, business and essential life skills under his belt from other roles across the region."

“We are glad to welcome Dan back home. He is a valuable team member, part of our senior management team and doing great things with his department – and is also responsible for IT assets and data security, which means hard drives, GDPR and items coming inside the building."


“We interviewed many different people for the role and Dan was the outstanding candidate, a perfect fit with our business ethos. He is solid and hardworking, a natural leader and is applying a lot of the ideas he learned elsewhere."


“Dan was one of our first apprentices in the early days of the business when we were very much in our infancy with just a few members of staff and one van on the road. I admire him that he has gone on this journey and is now back with us.” Dan commented:

“I always regretted leaving, although I felt I needed to have different experiences. I am hugely proud of what I accomplished while I was away but I am glad to be back among the iWaste family."

“It is almost as though I haven’t been away – except for the fact that the business has grown tremendously and we have smart new premises – and I have been welcomed back with open arms."


“My aim is to not only run my department prudently, professionally and with care, but to ensure that iWaste continue to offer the second-to-none customer service for which we have become rightly renowned.”


iWaste, headquartered at Ducks Nest Farm in Arborfield, near, Reading has also appointed keen sportsman and former Oxford United scholar Joe Hartley as Sales Executive, reporting to Sales Manager Ed Starnes.


Part of the company’s growing sales team, he is tasked with building relationships, opening new avenues and generating revenue streams from new and existing clients.


Sam added: “Joe is the most incredibly enthusiastic sales guy I have seen in 20 years in this business and has hit the ground running. He has augmented our really strong team, which is cohesive, hungry, competitive and extremely hardworking.”


James Massey has also recently joined iWaste as a Junior IT Technician.


The company, established in 2013, has also invested heavily in infrastructure, vans, people and a new bespoke, cloud-based management portal which drove an ambitious move to a paperless operation.

Last year iWaste, which employs 35 people, also celebrated its 10th anniversary and moved to bigger premises outside Reading to facilitate strategic business growth.


Most Read

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

Once regarded as an occasional treat or a post-pub indulgence, pizza has risen—like a well-proofed dough—to claim a central spot in...

Packing Their Trunks

Packing Their Trunks

Two Asian elephants have travelled across the country, in a move to boost the conservation breeding programme for the endangered species....

Aldi Now Scotland's Second Biggest Supermarket By Volume

Aldi Now Scotland's Second Biggest Supermarket By Volume

Aldi Scotland has overtaken Asda for the first time to become Scotland’s second largest supermarket by volume, new data from Kantar has...

Categories

First Tenants Move Into New Spaces Guildhall Lane

First Tenants Move Into New Spaces Guildhall Lane

The first tenants to rent workspaces in the new Spaces Guildhall Leicester building in Leicester city centre have been announced as...

Best Foot Forward For Hampshire Firm’s Charity Walk

Best Foot Forward For Hampshire Firm’s Charity Walk

Colleagues from a Hampshire accountancy and business advisory firm are donning their walking boots to raise much-needed cash for a local...

Lomond Plant Secures 130 New JCB Machines in Landmark Deal

Lomond Plant Secures 130 New JCB Machines in Landmark Deal

Scot JCB is proud to announce the delivery of 130 new JCB machines to Lomond Plant in a landmark deal that signals renewed confidence in...

Recent Posts

bottom of page