Can IT pros take a vacation?

You’re lounging poolside, SPF 50 in full force, phone miraculously quiet for once. Is this reality? Can IT professionals really unplug this summer? According to early insights from our 2025 Global IT trends and priorities survey, the answer is getting closer to “yes.”

This year, we asked IT professionals, from sysadmins to C-level executives, across small and midsize businesses (SMBs) how they’re doing when it comes to work-life balance. The survey spanned diverse industries, roles and regions. The full report launches in August, but we couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek on one of summer’s hottest topics: time off that feels like time off.

It’s clear that work-life balance really counts

When asked how important work-life balance is, there were few surprises:

• 90% of respondents said it’s very important
• 9% said somewhat important
• Only 1% called it not important

Whether you’re leading strategic initiatives or troubleshooting endpoints, chances are you appreciate better boundaries between work and rest.

The current outlook is encouraging

Compared to 2024 findings, satisfaction with work-life balance is on the rise:

• 77% of respondents said they’re satisfied with their current balance, up from 75% in 2024
• Only 9% said they’re dissatisfied, down from 13% last year

But before you trade your help desk for a hammock, there’s more to the story.

Uncertainty and stress are creeping in

We asked respondents how they expect their work-life balance to shift in the future:

• 38% said it will get better, same as last year
• 49% expect it to stay the same, a slight dip from 55% in 2024
• 13% believe it will get worse, almost double the 7% in 2024

Let’s break that down.

Coming in August: What’s really driving IT teams forward?

This summer check-in is just a slice of what our full report has to offer. The 2025 global IT trends and priorities report, releasing in August, will explore:

• How businesses are balancing lean teams with smarter strategies
• The tech investments helping companies do more with less
• What successful IT teams are doing differently when it comes to productivity and well-being

Watch for the full report in August. In the meantime, if you’re feeling burned out, check out five ways to make your IT job fun.