by HRHQ Editorial Team
Irish employees need an average of 10 consecutive days off – including weekends – to properly recover from work, according to new research from payroll and HR solutions provider SD Worx. The figure sits below the European average of 13 days, highlighting how Irish workers may be returning to work sooner than their continental counterparts.
The survey also shows a shift in how people here are using annual leave. Rather than relying on a single long holiday, almost 60% of Irish employees now prefer a blend of short, ad‑hoc breaks alongside longer trips. SD Worx says this trend towards more flexible and fragmented leave has important implications for employers trying to plan capacity and maintain service levels throughout the year.
The research gathered insights from 5,936 employers and 16,500 employees across 16 European countries, including 1,000 employees and 301 employers in Ireland. Over 70% of Irish workers reported taking all of their annual leave last year, and 55% said they can take time off without creating additional pressure for colleagues.
Ireland also stands out for strong managerial support around holidays. 54% of employees say they are regularly encouraged to take leave, compared to a European average of 41%.
However, despite the growing appetite for flexibility, 76% of Irish workers must still request leave in advance, with an average notice period of 27 days. SD Worx says this creates a disconnect between employees’ desire for spontaneity and employers’ need for predictability.
As annual leave becomes more distributed throughout the year, the company warns that organisations will need better visibility of staffing levels, clearer team agreements, and stronger workforce planning tools to balance wellbeing with business continuity.
