The study also revealed that while workers want to go on vacation, they can't take their minds off work. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they "will deal with e-mail, make calls, and attend to significant pieces of work while on holiday." Respondents refer to this as "slightly reduced business as usual."

Leijten warned that this work habit can be stressful, and suggested that organisations rethink their work policy, including studying other workplace options.

"Burning the midnight oil in a usually unsuccessful attempt to work and take an active part in the family holiday can only bring workers one step closer to burnout and spoils the fun for everyone. Businesses urgently need to look at measures like reducing commuting time for workers and enabling them to work closer to home. The widely-acknowledged increases in productivity that such measures generate may mean that employees feel more able to truly switch off when they are on holiday," added Leijten.