New data from 2025 reveals a significant hidden cost for Canadian employees taking a break: a so-called "time-off tax" that consumes nearly 17 hours of an employee's time per vacation. This time is spent on preparation before leaving and catching up on work upon return, effectively shaping the challenging first week back at the office.
The Hidden Hours of Holiday Preparation
The findings suggest that the process of disconnecting from work is far from seamless. Employees invested substantial time in 2025 tying up loose ends, briefing colleagues, and setting up out-of-office messages before their holidays even began. This pre-vacation workload, often done outside of regular hours, adds a layer of stress and effort that contradicts the intended purpose of taking time off to recharge.
The Daunting Task of Catching Up
Perhaps more impactful is the post-vacation scramble. Returning workers face a mountain of emails, missed meetings, and project updates that have progressed in their absence. The data indicates that catching up consumed a major portion of the nearly 17-hour total, making the first week back a period of high stress and reduced immediate productivity, rather than a smooth transition.
This phenomenon highlights a modern workplace challenge where the boundaries between work and rest are increasingly blurred. The "time-off tax" can diminish the restorative benefits of a vacation, as employees mentally and logistically remain tethered to their job responsibilities.
Implications for Canadian Work Culture
For employers and employees alike, this data serves as a crucial insight into workforce efficiency and well-being. Companies with cultures that expect extensive preparation and instant re-immersion may inadvertently be promoting burnout. Conversely, organizations that implement better hand-off protocols, discourage after-hours pre-vacation work, and allow for a more gradual re-entry could see higher long-term productivity and improved employee satisfaction.
The analysis, highlighted by Maria Sarrouh, was published on January 07, 2026. It underscores an ongoing conversation about sustainable work practices in Canada, suggesting that the true cost of a vacation is measured not just in dollars, but in the valuable hours of personal time sacrificed to manage work obligations.
