Need a Vacation? Join the Club

Luckily for those who need one, more than a third (36%) said they feel more comfortable taking a vacation in 2010 than in 2009, due to an improving economy. Sixty-four percent of workers said they have already taken or plan to take a vacation this year, up slightly from 63% in 2009.

However, nearly one-third of workers said they won’t be taking a vacation this year, with 21% indicating they still can’t afford it.

Vacations are also going to be longer this year for some. The survey found many workers are planning to be away from the office longer. Nearly one-quarter (23%) plan to take a week off this year, up from 19% last year, and 12% plan to be gone two weeks or longer.

Noting that 15% of respondents reported that they didn’t use all of their allotted time last year, Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, said in the release of the results: “Utilizing time off to recharge batteries is even more important today as staffs have shrunk over the last 18 months and workers are dealing with added responsibilities and pressure.”

But vacations still might not mean all rest and relaxation. Nearly half (49%) of employers said they expect employees to check in with the office while they are away, with 37% indicating it’ll be necessary only if they are working on a big project or there is a major issue going on with the company. One-quarter of workers say they plan to contact the office at least once while on vacation, regardless of what they are working on.

The survey was conducted in February and March online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 4,803 U.S. workers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non government) and 2,778 U.S. employers (employed full-time; not self-employed; non government), ages 18 and over.