It’s August. Out-of-office messages are everywhere. Colleagues are missing in action, and across much of Europe, a heatwave is raging.
People are doing something many professionals find surprisingly difficult: switching off.
For many of us, a holiday doesn’t means disappearing completely. Our phones make it all too easy to check emails and keep an eye on notifications, just in case.
We’re not denying that technology makes it easier to stay connected. But it’s also made it harder to truly disconnect.
What People Value Most
One of the clearest messages from our recent Salary Survey & Industry Report is that people value flexibility, wellbeing and work/life balance enormously.
These are no longer viewed as nice-to-have benefits. For many, they’re a key factor when choosing an employer or considering a career move.
People who are just starting out naturally prioritise career progression and salary. But work/life balance increases in importance as they progress. By the senior career stages, quality of life, good leadership and interesting work are valued as much as opportunities for promotion.
Why Time Away Matters
Careers are marathons, not sprints. Sustained performance requires recovery.
“As an employer, you don’t want your staff to burn out and underperform. Rest and relaxation are so important, they help recharge and reignite creativity and purpose. I see a complete switch off as essential.” – Heidi Bannister, Arthur Edward Founder & MD
A proper break helps us to:
- Return with fresh energy and focus
- Gain perspective on challenges that previously felt overwhelming
- Generate new ideas and solutions
- Improve wellbeing and reduce burnout
- Remind us what we enjoy about our work and colleagues
For employers, holiday season can reveal something valuable too.
When key people take leave, does everything grind to a halt? Are decisions delayed because only one person knows how something works? Or does the business continue to run smoothly because knowledge, responsibility and trust are shared across the team?
August is a useful business stress test
It can raise some important questions:
- Do people feel genuinely comfortable taking annual leave?
- How well is work handed over between colleagues?
- Do managers trust their teams to make decisions?
- Are there hidden knowledge gaps and succession risks?
- How resilient are processes when key individuals are away?
The strongest organisations are built on good communication, sensible planning and teams that support one another when colleagues are away.
Of course, some roles or projects genuinely require occasional check-ins while on holiday, and some people prefer to stay lightly connected.
There’s nothing wrong with that if it’s a conscious choice. The conflict comes when it’s an expectation rather than an exception.
Perhaps there’s a simple lesson for us all… take the holiday, hand over properly, trust your colleagues, and resist the urge to check every notification.
One thing we all know is, the emails will still be there when you get back!
And if the break gives you a clearer perspective on your career, your priorities or what you want from work, maybe you should do it more often.
Are you in touch with shifts in salaries and benefits, and what matters most to people working in the industry?
From salary data to workplace trends and employee sentiments, our annual Salary Survey & Industry Report reveals where the beauty industry is now, and where it’s heading.
Keep up to date with our 2026 SALARY SURVEY AND INDUSTRY REPORT.
Arthur Edward is a leading beauty, personal care & FMCG recruitment agency. We find top talent along the product lifecycle to innovate, launch and market bestselling cosmetic and beauty products.
If you’re looking for a job or looking for staff in the industry, we can help you find your perfect match. Contact us today!
