Working time is mostly studied with regard to identifying reasonable work hours/scheduling, based on considerations of worker wellbeing, productivity,safety and work-life balance. Longer breaks from work, in the form of paid holiday leave, are often overlooked as an important aspect of working time, and the extent to which work fits in with, or overly extends into, everyday life. Using nationally representative data from the Australian Work and Life Index (AWALI), we found that 60 per cent of full-time workers did not take their full leave entitlement in 2009. Work-related pressures and restrictions feature prominently in the reasons workers provide for not taking leave. Managers and professionals, and those working long hours, are most likely to under utilise their leave entitlements. There are significant work-life penalties for not taking leave -particularly workers with parenting responsibilities and for women. We also find evidence that Australians (working full-time) would value more time away from work - the majority would prefer two weeks more holidays rather than a pay rise. Refereed/Peer-reviewed