When it’s time for your annual holiday have some sympathy for the workmates you’re leaving behind… because new research reveals that over half of Australian workers feel the need to work harder when colleagues are off work. Randstad’s Q2 Workmonitor report found that 53 per cent of workers confess to feeling stressed when their colleagues are on annual leave and they also feel the need to work harder at this time too. It’s an indication that too few companies are equipped to handle staff absences, even when they’re planned in advance and the knock-on effect is felt throughout the organisation. And it’s not just those left behind who feel the pressure - a third of Australians admitted to feeling uncomfortable when taking time off due to the impact it has on colleagues. The research also found that some of this worry may be unfounded as 39 per cent of those questioned said they still take calls and emails even when on holiday.