A lot of workers won't get a break from work projects and deadlines this summer. Twenty-five percent of employees, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey that questioned 6,987 workers, say they will stay in touch with the office during their vacation. And 9 percent of employees say their bosses anticipate that they will work or check e-mail and voice-mail messages while they are away.

Sales workers (50 percent) top the industries when it comes to staying in touch with the office during their time off. Financial services and IT workers come in second at 37 percent.

Employers play a part in workers maintaining connection when they are away from the office. Nineteen percent of IT workers say their employers require them to talk with the office, even when they're out of town on a trip. Seventeen percent of sales workers say the same, followed by 14 percent of employees in financial services and 12 percent in professional and business services.

"Taking a vacation is a great way for workers to re-energize themselves and bring fresh ideas back to the table," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources.

"Unfortunately for some workers, getting away can add unnecessary stress to their lives. Twelve percent of workers said they feel guilty when they are on vacation and 6 percent felt that it could lead to them losing their jobs."

The economy isn't encouraging workers to take more vacation time. Fifty-one percent of respondents will eliminate their vacation this year in order to save money, according to a survey by Yahoo! HotJobs. Thirty-five percent of workers are experiencing pressure to improve performance and 57 percent claim to be feeling "burned out."

"A perfect storm of economic factors is developing," says Tom Musbach, senior managing editor of Yahoo! HotJobs. "The economic downturn is leading to layoffs and stretched resources, which, in turn, leads to increased workloads and pressure to improve performance.

"Employees, now more than ever, need a break from the pressure, but are instead choosing to forgo vacation in order to meet growing demands and protect dwindling wallets. Eventually something will have to give."

In order to take an actual break from the office, Haefner recommends these tips:

- Prepare in advance. Tell your co-workers when you will be on vacation and leave them a list of daily procedures.

- Look ahead. Try to plan vacations as far away as possible from project deadlines. Build in time to finish projects without becoming stressed.

- Make a plan. If you need to stay in touch with the office, schedule a short block of time each day to do work tasks.

If employees aren't able to take a break from work this summer, Musbach suggests some stress-relieving methods:

- Eliminate procrastination.

- Take more breaks during the workday.

- Stay healthy by exercising and eating a balanced diet.

For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com and www.hotjobs.yahoo.com.

DECREASE IN BENEFITS

A slower economy and increasing costs may lead to cutting back employee benefits. Lisa Van Fleet, a partner at Bryan Cave LLP, says a majority of employers face tension when attempting to handle higher health-care costs while trying to save money for their companies.

Health care is considered a risky benefit, according to Van Fleet. Workers may have to pay more of a monthly premium, but health-care benefits probably won't be completely eliminated. An employer can also choose a cheaper plan with fewer benefits.

Employers are usually the group to decide the type of benefits, but a few cities such as San Francisco have health-care mandates for employers. Unless there is a prior agreement, a majority of employers can reduce or eliminate benefits. Reductions usually occur at the beginning of the year.

If retirement benefits must be decreased, employers would warn workers before making a reduction in future fixed contributions - cuts would not affect accrued retirement payments.

"Most employers cut in health care, not retirement benefits," says Van Fleet.

Employees really don't have a say in the reduction of benefits. If they aren't satisfied, workers may have to find another employer.

"An employer has to balance costs and savings with recruiting and keeping workers," says Van Fleet. "Employers can save money by shifting some of the costs to the employee."

E-mail Amy Winter at amy.winter@copleynews.com or write to P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112.

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