Over a Third of Employed Kazakhstanis Missed Out on Summer Vacation

Over a third of employed Kazakhstanis did not take a summer break this year, according to a recent survey by Headhunter.kz involving more than 820 job seekers and employers.

While 25% of respondents reported having a good rest and another 17% expressed moderate satisfaction with their vacation, 14% felt they did not get enough time off, and 9% are still waiting for their planned break.

Increased workload was a major factor this season, with half of the participants reporting higher demands: 25% worked significantly more than usual, another 25% faced a slight increase, while 24% saw no major shift in their responsibilities. Furthermore, 21% had to work regularly during weekends or official leave. Only 18% managed to disconnect from work entirely, while 14% responded to work matters occasionally or under exceptional circumstances.

This intense summer has influenced career outlooks. Although a quarter of respondents felt no change in their attitude toward their job, 21% decided to switch employers, and 18% are actively considering it. Additionally, 12% want to negotiate better working conditions, whereas 7% have grown to appreciate their current positions more.

Psychological post-summer readiness also reflects burnout: 23% crave life changes and new experiences, 18% still feel exhausted (with 10% attributing it directly to work), and only 9% feel fully refreshed. Looking ahead to autumn, 55% aim to boost their income, 36% plan to search for a new job, 25% intend to learn new skills or professions, 16% desire flexible working hours, and 15% hope to work less and rest more.