SEATTLE, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Take Back
Your Time, a non-profit organization working to improve lives by
eliminating the epidemic of overwork in America, today announced
the launch of its Vacation Commitment Initiative. The
mission is to help change the culture around paid vacation in
America by fostering corporate support in encouraging employees to
take their earned time off. The program was presented today to
hundreds of HR professionals attending The Future of Work
conference in Nashville,
Tennessee.
"Americans are among the world's worst vacationers," said
John de Graaf, President of Take
Back Your Time. "According to U.S. Travel Association, some 40
percent of Americans leave an average of seven or more days of paid
vacation on the table every year*. The goal of our Vacation
Commitment Initiative is to address the growing epidemic of
American workers not taking their earned vacation time and spark a
national call-to-action."
The Initiative is sponsored in part by Diamond Resorts
International®, a global leader in the hospitality and vacation
ownership industry, dedicated to helping people lead healthier and
happier lives by encouraging families to Stay Vacationed.™, and is
gaining commitment from the corporate community.
"It is our honor to help support this program and our hope that
it will truly make it easier for people to enjoy their earned time
off," said David F. Palmer,
President and CEO of Diamond Resorts International®. "It is the
mission of Diamond Resorts to create healthier lives through the
power of vacations and we are committed to helping people Stay
Vacationed.™ and live more balanced, fulfilled lives."
As part of the Vacation Commitment Initiative,
TakeBackYourTime.org has designated March
31, 2015 as national Vacation Commitment Day. "On
this day, we're challenging employers nationwide to take the first
step toward becoming vacation-supportive workplaces by reminding
their employees about the importance of taking their vacations,"
said de Graaf. "This one day could really go a long way in helping
employees, who last year left a cumulative 400,000,000 days of
vacation unused*, actually take their hard-earned
vacations."
HR professionals will have access to a free, Vacation Commitment
Initiative toolkit, which can be downloaded at
TakeBackYourTime.org. The toolkit provides turnkey resources for
companies to implement the program within their organizations, and
includes an internal communications plan, sample correspondence,
tips, and discounts on vacations for employees and more. Also
in the kit are details about an opportunity their employees will
have to win a one-week paid vacation to Ka'anapali Beach Club in
Maui, Hawaii, a Diamond Resorts
International® property.
*Oxford Economics, "An Assessment of Paid Time Off in the U.S."
February 2014
To make a commitment and join the Vacation Commitment
Initiative, please visit www.TakeBackYourTime.org.
To access the Vacation Commitment Toolkit, visit
www.TakeBackYourTime.org/Toolkit
About Take Back Your Time
Based in Seattle, Washington, Take Back Your Time is a
non-profit coalition dedicated to improving lives by eliminating
the epidemic of overwork in the United
States and Canada. Take
Back Your Time advocates for broader cultural change in the
workplace and has committed to promoting policy change and cultural
attitudes to improve our quality of life and influence better
outcomes for all of us. To learn more, visit
www.TakeBackYourTime.org
About Diamond Resorts International®
Diamond Resorts
International® (NYSE: DRII), with its network of more than 330
vacation destinations located in 34 countries throughout the
continental United States,
Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South
America, Central America,
Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa, provides guests with choice and
flexibility to let them create their dream vacation, whether they
are traveling an hour away or around the world. Our relaxing
vacations have the power to give guests an increased sense of
happiness and satisfaction in their lives, while feeling healthier
and more fulfilled in their relationships, by enjoying memorable
and meaningful experiences that let them Stay Vacationed.™
Diamond Resorts International® manages vacation ownership
resorts and sells vacation ownership points that provide members
and owners with Vacations for Life® at over 330 managed and
affiliated properties and cruise itineraries.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
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SOURCE Diamond Resorts International