Survey Confirms Pre-Holiday Worker Slack

November 22, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Forty-four percent of executives polled said employees are less productive the week before a major holiday.

Offices are typically less productive during the holidays than at other times of the year because of the many distractions, according to Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. There may also be a lull in business activity around this time of year, according to a press release on the survey by Robert Half International.

Executives were asked, “In your opinion, are employees more or less productive the week before a major holiday?” Their responses, according to the release were as follows:

  • Much more productive – 5%
  • Somewhat more productive – 18%
  • No difference – 31%
  • Somewhat less productive – 42%
  • Much less productive – 2%
  • Don’t know/no answer – 2%

The national poll includes responses from 150 senior executives – including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments – with the nations 1,000 largest companies. It was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Accountemps.

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