UK workers are using their annual leave for one thing – and it’s not holidays

A study of 2,000 British workers found that only four in ten use their annual leave to go on holiday

Only four in ten workers use their annual leave to go on holiday, according to a recent study. The remainder use it to tackle administrative duties and catch up on tasks.

An average employee will spend 11 days of their holiday allowance working through their to-do list, ironically booking trips away, catching up on emails, and reviewing bills.

The study, commissioned by National Rail on behalf of the rail industry, surveyed 2,000 workers and found that 36 per cent who don’t rest on their days off feel productive, but 25 per cent are frustrated at having to use their annual leave for such tasks.

This need to use annual leave to catch up on admin work may be partly because a quarter of respondents admit they don’t use their spare time wisely, and a fifth describe themselves as habitual procrastinators.

To help, National Rail has teamed up with productivity expert Clare Evans to suggest ways people can use their travel time more productively.

They’re offering tailored tips based on individual personalities, so people can use their spare time to focus on what matters most, like resting or spending quality time with family.

Take this quiz and discover if you are a productive powerhouse or a master of me-time?

Clare said: “Train journeys can be the perfect time to get through many of those tasks, offering unique pockets of time with fewer life distractions. “But productivity isn’t just about to-do lists, it’s also about the calm and control that comes from knowing your priorities are taken care of.”

“Take five minutes of your journey to jot down your to-do list; set a short time limit – even just ten or fifteen minutes – to complete one task,” she added.

“Add it to your phone or calendar like a meeting, so it’s booked in for your journey and you’re committed.”

The survey revealed that 89 per cent of respondents are train travellers, with a fifth utilising their journeys productively. Of these, 52 per cent expressed pride in their efficient use of time.

An additional 28 per cent reported that being productive during their trips allowed them more room for creativity, while 27 per cent said it freed up time to spend with family and friends upon reaching their destination.

Tasks commonly accomplished during journeys include writing shopping lists, organising photos on their phones, and adding upcoming events to their calendars.

As a result of this productivity, respondents reported feeling less stressed, experiencing mood improvements, and feeling more in control of their upcoming days.

A third of rail users said that the views from train windows helped clear their minds for concentration, and the ideal journey time for ticking off tasks was just over an hour – 64 minutes.

Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and CEO at Rail Delivery Group, said: “It’s clear from our research that many people feel overwhelmed by the tasks that can pile up outside of work, with precious annual leave and weekends often spent managing commitments rather than truly switching off.

“We want to show travellers that on the train you can reclaim your time. Whether it’s writing a shopping list, booking an appointment, or simply getting organised.

“The study shows that time well spent on the train can help people feel more in control, less stressed, and ready to focus on what matters most, beyond the to-do list.”

Clare added: “As the study shows, using your train travel time productivity can positively impact your wellbeing, and these small steps can help you feel less stressed, more focused, balanced and connected to what matters most to you.”