Understanding the Link Between Vacations and Work Performance
During annual periods of rest, such as Semana Santa, many workers take advantage of their vacation days to relax and enjoy time away from work, leaving behind the daily stress and anxiety of their jobs. However, despite the importance of these days off for maintaining adequate performance and productivity within an organization, many individuals struggle to fully disconnect from work.
The Impact of Inadequate Rest on Health and Productivity
According to Mayo Clinic, insufficient vacation time or true rest can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, damage to blood vessels, stress, anxiety, and depression among others. A study by Grupo Adecco, titled “Global Workforce of the Future,” revealed that 24% of Latin American workers believe their well-being has worsened due to work in the past year.
Mexican Workers and Their Difficulty Disconnecting
Despite the benefits of taking vacation days, Mexican workers often find it challenging to disconnect from work even during their time off. The “Work in Progress 2024” survey by Buk found that 63% of Mexican employees continue working-related tasks during their breaks. Common activities include responding to work messages via WhatsApp or answering phone calls (84%) and checking emails (45%).
Benefits of Taking Vacation Days
Taking vacation days has numerous positive impacts, helping workers balance their jobs with social lives. UKG highlights some of these benefits:
- Spending time with loved ones: Vacations provide an opportunity for workers to enjoy time with family, friends, or partners, which benefits their mental health.
- Reducing exhaustion: After extended periods of work, employees may show signs of fatigue and loss of focus. Taking days off significantly reduces physical and mental exhaustion.
- Boosting motivation: Stepping away from routine clears the mind and encourages new ideas, as employees gain fresh perspectives beyond their work.
- Improving physical and mental health: Taking vacation days directly benefits an individual’s overall well-being, which should be the primary consideration when planning time off.
Vacation Days in Mexico
In Mexico, the Federal Labor Law acknowledges workers’ right to paid vacation days, aiming to provide rest that benefits health and productivity within organizations.
Article 76 of the Federal Labor Law states that workers with one year of service are entitled to an annual paid vacation period, which cannot be less than 12 working days. This number increases by two days for each subsequent year of service, up to a maximum of 20 days.
During their vacation period, employers must cover the workers’ regular salary. Additionally, employees are entitled to a vacation bonus of at least 25% of their salary for the vacation period.
The Federal Labor Law explicitly states that vacation days should never be compensated with any form of payment; instead, the period to be enjoyed must be granted.
If employment ends before completing one year of service, workers are entitled to proportional compensation based on the time served.
