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Tracances": The French Trend of Working During Paid Holidays
The French "tracances" trend, where employees work during paid leave, is fueled by hybrid work and digital tools, raising concerns about work-life balance and potentially blurring professional and personal boundaries; studies from 2024 and 2025 highlight this growing phenomenon.
- How does the rise of "tracances" reflect broader societal pressures and expectations surrounding work and productivity?
- The rise of "tracances" reflects a paradox: despite reported employee disengagement (Employee Net Promoter Score, 2025) and a "crisis of meaning at work" (Ponge et al., 2024), many continue working during their vacations. This could stem from a desire to remain visible, maintain control, or avoid being perceived as disengaged, highlighting the pressure of hyper-connectivity and the potential for a new form of work alienation.
- What measures can employers implement to address the potential negative consequences of "tracances" while still leveraging the benefits of hybrid work models?
- The "tracances" phenomenon reveals potential downsides of hybrid work. While offering flexibility, it risks fostering a "digital presenteeism" where constant connectivity becomes a norm. This, coupled with the potential for electronic surveillance, necessitates clear boundaries and responsible management to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. The 31% of employees exposed to hyper-connection (OICN) are a testament to this.
- What are the immediate impacts of the emerging "tracances" trend on employee well-being and work-life balance, given the existing concerns about employee disengagement?
- A new trend called "tracances" (a portmanteau of "travail" and "vacances") describes employees working during their paid holidays, facilitated by hybrid work models and ubiquitous digital tools. This trend, analyzed in 2024 research by Mahéo & Marinos, and further studied in 2025 by Ipsos, shows that 24% of those planning leave intended to work from a different location. This blurs professional and personal boundaries, raising concerns about employee well-being.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames "tracances" primarily as a negative phenomenon, highlighting the risks of overwork, burnout, and blurring the lines between work and personal life. The headline, while not explicitly provided, would likely reinforce this negative framing. The introduction establishes a tone of concern and problematization, immediately focusing on the potential downsides of working during vacation. This framing may unduly alarm readers and neglect a balanced presentation of the issue.
Language Bias
The article uses somewhat loaded language, such as "piège de l'hyper-connectivité" (trap of hyper-connectivity), "syndrome du "bon élève" (good student syndrome)", and "nouvelle forme d'aliénation au travail" (new form of work alienation). These terms create a negative connotation and frame "tracances" in a critical light. More neutral alternatives could be used, focusing on the potential challenges and drawbacks rather than automatically labeling them as negative or pathological.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the negative aspects of "tracances" (working during vacation) and the potential for exploitation. While it mentions the positive aspect of employee demand for this flexibility (24% intending to work from a different location), it doesn't delve into the potential benefits or perspectives of employees who choose to work during vacation, potentially for personal reasons or project deadlines. The potential benefits of increased autonomy and flexibility are under-represented. The article also doesn't discuss potential employer benefits, such as increased productivity or better employee morale for those who benefit from flexible work arrangements.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by framing the issue as either complete disengagement from work during vacation or unhealthy hyper-connectivity. It doesn't adequately explore the spectrum of possibilities between these two extremes. Many employees might engage in limited work during their vacation without necessarily experiencing negative consequences.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the emerging trend of "tracances" (a blend of "travail" and "vacances"), where employees work during their paid holidays. This negatively impacts SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by potentially leading to employee burnout, reduced productivity in the long run due to lack of rest, and blurring the lines between work and personal life. The constant connectivity and pressure to remain visible even during vacations can lead to stress and health issues, hindering overall well-being and productivity. The article also mentions a concerning level of employee disengagement, further supporting the negative impact on SDG 8.