Is it possible for employees to spend the last days of 2015 in a state of carefree holiday bliss?

Not necessarily, according to new research by staffing firm Robert Half. Fifty-nine per cent of workers surveyed will work at least part of the week of December 28 and plan to make good use of the time, with 79 per cent expecting to be productive. For staff taking time off, including those whose companies close for the week, 60 per cent plan to check in with the office.

“Shutting down does not mean shutting off for most companies,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. “The last days of the year are critical to complete quarter- and year-end projects, make billable hours goals, and get organized for the new year. Additionally, some firms face ‘use it or lose it’ consequences on budget and headcount if they fail to spend or hire by December 31, so they’re laser-focused on these issues.”

The study also found:

• Twenty-eight per cent of U.S. workers are taking the entire week of Dec. 28 as vacation. Among this group, 52 per cent are taking the time off because their company closes for the week. More than eight in 10 report this is paid time off and they don’t need to take from their vacation time.

• Sixty per cent of employees will check in with the office if they’re away. Men are significantly more likely to check in than women. Seventy-one per cent of workers in the Northeast region plan to stay in touch – the highest percentage of any geography.

• Thirteen per cent of employees haven’t solidified their plans for the last week of the year and don’t know if they’re taking time off.

• Workers in the 55+ age group are significantly more likely to report they’ll be “very productive” in the final days of 2015. Their 45 per cent is nearly twice the figure of the 18-34 and 35-54 groups (which both reported 24 per cent).