Fourth of July: Half of Americans Think They Should Get the Whole Week Off

If your productivity this week has dipped below “bare minimum,” you’re in excellent (and lazy) company. A recent poll found that 45% of American workers admit they’re not really getting anything done between now and the Fourth of July. And frankly, the other 55% might just be lying to look good.

That’s right: nearly half of us are mentally out of office, spiritually beachside, and physically still showing up to Zoom meetings with the camera off.

And we’re not just talking about a slow day or two. Half the country thinks the entire week of July 4th should be a national no-work zone.

49% say companies should just close up shop and let everyone live their best summer life. Millennials and Gen Z are especially here for it: 61% are in favor of making it official.

Meanwhile, only 32% of older workers agree. Which tracks. These are the same people who think taking a sick day for appendicitis is “pushing it.”

But here’s the twist: a mid-year summer break might actually help companies.

35% of workers believe they’d be more productive the rest of the year if they knew they had a week off in July. 28% said they’d work harder, and 22% would be more likely to recommend their company to others. So yes, Cheryl in HR… time off is a retention strategy.

If you are getting more than just Friday off, congratulations, you’re living the dream. Only 34% of workers will get two or more days off this week, and just 10% are getting the full five-day break. The rest of us are pretending to care while googling “patriotic jello shot recipes.”

So go ahead and phone it in this week. Just make sure your boss is phoning it in too.