More than half of Swiss workforce faces anxiety after summer holidays

Published date: 19 August 2025

A summer holiday is meant to be a time of relaxation – a chance to truly disconnect, recharge, and return to work with fresh energy. Yet, recent research by recruitment specialist Robert Walters reveals that going back to work after a summer break triggers stress, anxiety, and even guilt for many Swiss professionals. This not only impacts employee well-being but also workplace productivity.

Holiday over, stress kicks in

According to the survey, more than half of Swiss professionals (53%) feel stressed or anxious about returning to work after their summer holiday. Strikingly, 29% describe themselves as ‘very anxious.’

Özlem Simsek, Managing Director at Robert Walters, notes: “Annual leave is designed to give professionals a breather and an opportunity to reset. It should never leave them more stressed than before they went away.”

Inbox anxiety tops the list

The number one stress factor for Swiss employees after a holiday? An overflowing inbox. More than half of respondents (55%) say it’s their biggest source of tension. Other key stressors include fear of falling behind (18%), issues with handovers or backlog (18%), and missing important updates (9%).

The stress is so pervasive that many professionals admit to adopting ‘firefighting’ tactics while on leave: 66% check work emails during their holidays to limit the backlog upon return or keep an eye on urgent matters.

“Modern tools mean we can work from anywhere, which offers flexibility and freedom,” says Özlem. “But that constant connectivity also creates pressure for many professionals to stay plugged into work, even during their holidays.”

Guilt keeps professionals from taking time off

To manage stress, professionals don’t just check their inboxes – many even postpone their holidays. A staggering 71% admit to frequently or occasionally delaying vacation days due to guilt or ongoing workload. Switzerland tops the survey in this regard, ranking higher than any other country.

When employees feel guilty about taking leave, it can signal a deeper cultural issue.

“Managers need to make it clear that taking time off is not a weakness but a prerequisite for sustainable performance.”

Collective shutdowns: cure or cause?

A collective summer break, where everyone is on leave at the same time, could reduce post-holiday stress by avoiding feelings of falling behind or “FOMO” (fear of missing out).

However, enthusiasm for this concept among Swiss professionals is limited: only 10% strongly support collective shutdowns, while 32% prefer personal flexibility and the freedom to choose when to take time off.

Interestingly, 39% do admit it’s easier to unwind when their entire team is on holiday. Yet, this benefit isn’t enough for most to trade personal freedom for collective leave.

A European phenomenon

Holiday stress isn’t unique to Switzerland, but the survey shows notable differences across countries.

In Belgium, 47% feel anxious about returning to work. 56% postpone holidays due to guilt, and 65% check work emails while on leave.

In Spain and France, stress levels are even higher, with 63% and 64% respectively reporting post-holiday anxiety. Collective summer shutdowns are popular in France (60%), compared to just 20% in Spain.

The UK reports the highest numbers: 78% feel anxious or stressed after holidays, and over half check emails regularly while away.

Creating the right culture

The findings show that holidays don’t always equal true rest. Inbox overload, constant availability, and poor handovers mean many employees fail to fully disconnect – or even hesitate to take their holidays at all.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” says Özlem. “What truly matters is building a workplace culture that actively encourages disconnecting – whether leave is taken collectively or individually.”

Some simple but effective measures include:

Clear handovers before leave
Respecting out-of-office replies
Setting realistic expectations for availability
Open conversations about taking time off without guilt

Only by fostering this culture can professionals genuinely recharge, enabling companies to count on a refreshed, motivated, and productive workforce after summer.