Sydney, 26 March 2014: One in five (20%) Australians admit to calling in sick on a Monday, but it’s weekenditis they’re suffering, rather than Mondayitis, according to new research from TFE Hotels.
An overwhelming 91% of Australians are saying they look forward to the weekend but less than one in 10 (8%) describe weekends as exciting.
With Monday sickie counts high, it’s Northern Territorians (40%), followed by New South Wales residents (21%) and West Australians (20%) who are suffering most from weekenditis. Men are more prone (12%) to weekenditis than women (7%), with Aussie blokes likely to call in sick on a Monday at least once every two months.
In a bid to beat this bout of weekenditis, TFE Hotels has joined forces with spokesperson Emma Freedman to become the ‘Ambassadors of Great Weekends’, encouraging all Aussies to make sure they are making the most of their two days off.
Emma Freedman commented, “Aussies have long prided themselves on being laid-back and relaxed. We’re known as being lovers of the beach, the bush, the outback, backyard cricket and having a laugh. Sadly, our ‘work hard, play hard’ ethos appears to be in jeopardy with the research also revealing more than 2 million Aussies feel we’re losing our laid-back nature. Together with TFE Hotels, it’s time to combat weekenditis by bringing back the great Aussie weekend.”
While weekends should be a time to break free from the shackles of monotony, breathe easy, or get away, the research also revealed that 1 in 5 (20%) Aussies are dedicating almost half or more of their weekends to carrying out non-leisure activities. A quarter of Aussies (25%) also claim the habit of checking work emails up to five times during the two-day “break” is the worst thief of a great weekend.
Emma Fraser, TFE Hotels’ Group Director of Marketing said, “At TFE Hotels, we were shocked to hear most Aussies (75%) attest that as little as five years ago they felt they were doing more with their weekends.
With 21% of Aussies saying they feel either stressed, anxious, tired or guilty on the weekends and they aren’t taking weekend breaks mainly due to guilt and work commitments – we decided it was time to create a remedy for weekenditis.”
Three quarters (75%) of Aussies also agree they’d rather be spending their weekends doing fun things with their family and friends such as going on a beach break (26%), indulgent luxury weekend getaway (20%) or a food and wine trip (16%).
In light of this, TFE Hotels in partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer is inspiring Aussies to get away on the weekend by giving away 52 weekends, including Virgin Australia flights and TFE Hotels accommodation, as well as an Ultimate Weekend Away for one person and 11 friends, valued at $15,000.
To be in the running to win one of 52 weekends away as well as the Ultimate Weekend Away visit: tfehotels.com/greatweekends
Other key findings from TFE Hotels’ research included:
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About TFE Hotels
A joint venture company representing Toga Group and Far East Hospitality, TFE Hotels (Toga Far East Hotels) is a leading hotel operator across Australia, NZ and Europe.
Combining the strength of two international hospitality businesses, TFE Hotels will continue to pursue growth opportunities, with the potential for greater operational efficiencies worldwide.
A leading accommodation provider, TFE Hotels manages over 65 properties across Australia, New Zealand and Europe. TFE Hotels’ brands include: Adina Apartment Hotels, Medina Serviced Apartments, Rendezvous Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and Hotel Kurrajong Canberra.
These brands represent over 9,000 apartments and hotel rooms which vary in price, location and design to meet a range of different accommodation needs. For more information, visit: tfehotels.com