The sun is shining, out-of-office replies are auto-loading, and yet many Americans are quietly canceling their summer travel plans before they even start.
A new survey from LiveCareer reveals a concerning shift in how workers approach paid time off (PTO). Despite 86% of U.S. employees reporting stress or burnout, nearly one in three say fear of layoffs is making them hesitate to take time off this summer. And among those who do plan to travel, many don’t expect to unplug fully.
It’s a sobering reminder of how our always-on, always-available culture is creeping into even our most sacred escapes: the summer vacation.
Fear Over Freedom
According to LiveCareer’s 2025 PTO Trends Report, 29% of workers reported that job insecurity is making them reluctant to use their earned paid time off (PTO). Ten percent go further, worrying that simply taking a vacation could make them look expendable.
That anxiety isn’t unfounded. High-profile layoffs and economic uncertainty have created a workplace environment where stepping away, even briefly, can feel like a risk. Nearly one in five respondents report feeling pressure to be constantly available due to concerns about job security or potential layoffs. And roughly half of U.S. workers surveyed say they’re unsure—or outright not planning to take a vacation at all this year.
Even for those who do go, the office often tags along. Nearly half of employees say they’ll check in on work at least occasionally while on vacation.
When Burnout Becomes a Badge of Honor
While Americans are no strangers to hustle culture, the normalization of burnout has reached alarming levels. According to LiveCareer’s study, 30% of workers reported moderate to severe burnout, and 28% stated that they feel emotionally drained at least once a week.
However, the reality is that burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign.
Stepping away, truly stepping away, can reset the mind, boost creativity, and improve productivity. Research has long shown that travel and time off aren’t just luxuries—they’re necessary for well-being.
“When employees hesitate to take the PTO they’ve earned, it can seriously impact their mental health, productivity, and overall engagement at work,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for LiveCareer.
Why Travel Matters
For Travelbinger, this isn’t just a labor story. It’s a travel story. And a personal one.
Travel has always been about more than a change of scenery. It’s a chance to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with others, with nature, with ourselves. The idea that fear could keep someone from a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway or a few days hiking through Acadia should give us pause.
Yes, financial pressure is real. LiveCareer’s report found that 73% of those hesitant to take time off cited economic concerns. And yes, not everyone can afford a luxury getaway.
But time off doesn’t have to mean a plane ticket or a five-star resort. It can be a long weekend road trip, a camping trip with friends, or simply unplugging at a local lake.
If the fear of taking time off is holding you hostage, that’s not just a workplace problem—it’s a life problem,” says Gabrielle Schmauderer, journalist with Guessing Headlights. “Going outside or taking a walk is enough to push through burnout and task fatigue, but nothing helps quite like fresh air and a change of scenery. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive or cross-country. A long weekend away, even just a few hours from home, can give you the clarity and reset your mind needs to face whatever comes next.”
A More Intentional Life
If fear of taking PTO is starting to control your life, that may be a sign to step back and assess what is within your control.
That begins with being intentional about how we work, rest, and structure our lives. Building even a modest emergency fund, cutting back on financial obligations, or reevaluating what truly matters can create a sense of security that makes time off feel less like a risk and more like a right.
We know that’s easier said than done. But ignoring your health and happiness because you’re scared of being seen as replaceable isn’t just bad for your career—it’s bad for your life.
So, Should You Take That Trip?
Yes.
Burnout won’t wait. Neither will summer. If you’ve earned your time off, you’ve earned the right to use it fully and without apology.
So pack a bag. Get in the car. Turn off the notifications. Go somewhere that reminds you what a full breath feels like.
Because time away isn’t selfish—it’s survival. And the road is still calling.
