SUMMER holiday plans are in disarray as redundancy fears and the pressure to deliver results begins to take its toll across East Anglia. If Huntingdonshire s business leaders are right in the assessments of the local economy they have shared with The Hunt

SUMMER holiday plans are in disarray as redundancy fears and the pressure to deliver results begins to take its toll across East Anglia.

If Huntingdonshire's business leaders are right in the assessments of the local economy they have shared with The Hunts Post in recent weeks, the district may be less badly affected than other parts of the region, however.

According to the latest research from the Chartered Management Institute, many of the region's executives have postponed holiday plans and, even if they do go away, many refuse to stop working.

The survey shows that one in five executives in East Anglia will not use their full holiday entitlement this year, preferring to carry days over to 2009. The finding comes against a backdrop of redundancy rates doubling to three per cent over the past year and 23 per cent of employers admitting their staff fear restructuring and job insecurity.

The survey also indicates that belt-tightening is taking place at a business and personal level. For example, rather than spend money on a holiday, 38 per cent of individuals in the region want to exchange unused holiday time for cash, but only 20 per cent of employers agree to this. Private healthcare is also sought in exchange for annual leave, yet only three per cent of organisations agree to the swap.

Respondents in East Anglia are also blaming a lack of support from employers for their lack of rest, the survey reports. Asked why they are unable to take their full holiday entitlement, 38 per cent cited extensive workloads, and 30 per cent also claimed they have to use holiday time to care for dependents. Just six per cent said they have the option to give back unused holiday for flexible working options.

Even if they do go on holiday, significant proportions continue to work. The survey reveals that 37 per cent in the region regularly check work e-mails and 29 per cent dial in to pick up voicemail messages.