Thirty percent are still in touch with work even when they're on vacation. And sadly, 23 percent of workers say they once had to work while the family went on vacation without them.

While workers have felt the pressure to keep up an ambitious image, their bosses have no problem with taking full advantage of the perk – more than 80 percent have taken or are planning to take a vacation this year.

"Managers may be more likely to afford vacations, but they should still be encouraging their employees to use paid time off, even if they are staying close to home," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Workers who maximize vacation time are less likely to burn out and more likely to maintain productivity levels. Heavy workloads and financial constraints can make it difficult to get away from work, but even if you're not traveling far from home, a few days away can have a very positive impact on your health and happiness."

I don't think it's a coincidence those Vegas commercials are running as I get ready for work in the morning. A New York Times piece noted how the ad campaign is a reflection of our new "Occupy" culture, which has prompted a rebellious outcry from distressed workers.

Indeed, our work-life balance is decidedly asymmetrical. As we face threats to the robust benefits of yesterday, generous PTO could be as effective as cash incentives for workplace wellness. Plus, at the rate that health care costs are increasing, employers would willingly bear costs for employee absences versus claims costs due to stress and poor health.

Vacations shouldn't be revolutionary, they should be expected. Kevin Sheridan, author of "Building a Magnetic Culture" tells the Chicago Tribune, "Good managers are willing to put the 'human' back in human capital management. They're not viewing people as these little chess pieces that lead to higher productivity. People need time off, and when they come back they're refreshed; they come back with fresh eyes and fresh energy."