A new poll released by NPR this week shows that Americans are working harder and taking less time off.
The poll found that half of Americans who work 50 or more hours a week don't use all their vacation days, and one in three people who do take vacation end up working during their time off.
According to Project Time Off, Americans took about 20 days of vacation in the year 2000, but only took 16 days in 2015. The NPR poll found that many Americans don't take take vacation because they want to get ahead at work, or fear falling behind.
But Steven Weatherspoon, a patient transporter at University of Kansas Hospital says he rarely takes time off because he loves his job.
"The biggest impact of doing a good deed is when no one knows you've done it. But you know you've done it in here," said Weatherspoon, pointing to his heart.
Other research shows that working too much could lead to heart disease, depression, and stress.
Justin Wilfon can be reached at justin.wilfon@kshb.com.
