Gen Zers and millennials are 'quiet vacationing' during 4th of July week instead of taking PTO

A record 70.9 million people are expected to travel this week for the Fourth of July, AAA reports, marking the busiest Independence Day holiday ever — but not everyone is asking their boss for time off.

More than half of Gen Z workers and millennials have "quiet vacationed" — taken time off without formally requesting PTO — during the July Fourth holiday week, with a similar trend expected to continue this year, according to a new Harris Poll of 1,274 American workers. 

Younger professionals say they don't ask for a break because they feel pressure to be "constantly available and productive," even during a holiday week, says Tim Osiecki, director of thought leadership and trends at The Harris Poll. 

Gen Zers and millennials might also be quiet vacationing to cope with constraints on PTO and increased feelings of burnout. 

"Employees aren't trying to deceive or shirk their responsibilities," he adds. "They're simply trying to find a way to balance their need for rest with the demands of their jobs." 

July 4 falls on a Thursday this year — squished between two workdays — compounding the existing productivity lull that happens around the federal holiday. 

More than half (53%) of Gen Zers and millennials from the Harris Poll survey say they "barely get any work done" around the Fourth of July. 

Independence Day is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with nearly half of Americans planning vacations around it. Yet only 10% of employers shut down the entire workweek around July 4, the survey found.

A majority of Gen Z and millennial employees say having the entire week off would make them more productive, inspire them to put more effort into their work and take on more responsibility in the workplace.

It's a small trade-off