32% of US Remote Workers Secretly Work on Vacation: What This Means for Employers

Remote Workers' Secrets: 32% Admit to Working While on Vacation

As companies push for a return to the office, a new survey reveals that 32% of U.S. remote workers secretly work while on vacation, often without their managers' knowledge. This trend supports employers advocating for in-person work, citing a need for accountability and oversight.

Despite mixed results from recent return-to-office mandates in the U.S. and countries like India, major tech firms, including Microsoft and Apple, have faced significant employee turnover. Following Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's call for a corporate return, workers have threatened to "soft quit," with searches for "legal right to work from home" among UK Amazon employees spiking.

The SurveyMonkey poll of over 3,100 full-time U.S. workers also sheds light on remote work habits. Nearly half of remote workers multitask during calls, handling household chores or personal tasks like grocery shopping. Some even admit to napping or engaging in leisure activities during work hours. Notably, 17% work from undisclosed locations, while 4% juggle another job.

The survey highlights generational differences: 26% of millennials nap during work, while 18% of Gen Z have taken on side jobs. As companies insist on office returns, remote workers continue to find ways to leverage their flexible arrangements, underscoring the tension between employer expectations and employee preferences.