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Less Than Half of US Workers Use All Their Vacation Days

Fear of falling behind and the availability of remote work are leading many Americans to skip out on paid time off.

Reefs Resort & Club in Southampton, Bermuda, a popular vacation spot

Reefs Resort & Club in Southampton, Bermuda, a popular vacation spot

Photographer: Nicola Muirhead/Bloomberg

Spring break is here, and summer vacations are just around the bend. But while increasingly stressed-out US workers say having paid time off is critical, many still don’t even take all that they’re allowed.

Only 48% of US workers say they use all their vacation days, according to a new survey from Pew Research Center. Those who don’t take all their time off say it’s because they don’t need it, or they worry about falling behind at work or feel badly about co-workers carrying their load. A few even think vacation time hurts their chances for promotions or could cost them their job.