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Comments (3)
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First off, we are only given on average 14 vacation days. The only countries with fewer vacation days are Japan, with an average of 11, and South Korea with an average of 10. Furthermore, we leave an average of 14.3 percent of our vacation days, or two days, unused.
There are other countries that leave more days on the table (perhaps surprisingly, Italians only use on average 21 of their 28 vacations days). But why do we have any unused days at all, especially when we already get so many fewer days than most other countries?
According to Expedia’s Vacation Deprivation study, based on a survey of 7,083 employed adults in 20 countries that took place between September and October 2011, 34 percent of Americans said that a possible reason for not using all their vacations days was because they couldn't afford it. Another 15 percent said they don't plan far enough in advance, and 15 percent said that "work is my life."
Interestingly, while there is a stereotype that vacation is somehow frowned upon in the U.S., a surprisingly high number of U.S. respondents (73 percent) said that their boss is actually supportive of them taking vacation time. Only 8 percent said that their boss is not supportive of vacation time, and 19 percent said they weren't sure.
Part of the problem is that there is no law guaranteeing paid vacation leave in the U.S. In fact, Americans have the fewest guaranteed vacation days and holidays of any major industrialized country, according to an Economic Policy Institute report cited by the Chicago Tribune.
"By law, workers in Britain are guaranteed at least four weeks' paid vacation. The industrious Germans get the same, plus 10 paid holidays. The Japanese, famous for their work ethic, have a statutory minimum of two weeks' paid vacation. We Americans: zero," the Tribune reminds us.
Mull that one over next time you’re lounging on the beach, trying to resist the urge to check your smart phone.
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Gosh... I guess I should just move to Germany or Britain. 10 business days of vacation time and 5 sick days that I am getting per year are not enough for me. I can't stand it anymore. Are we being used slaves here or what?
Posted By American on January 27, 2012, 7:05 PM
Another thing: At global companies like the one I work for, we have too few people doing too much work. When my team's EU colleagues are on their government-mandated holidays, guess who's stuck minding the shop?
Posted By Live in the Wrong Country on February 1, 2012, 2:14 PM
people always use the excuse of "can't afford it."
but the fact of the matter is, american culture and the corporate run country simply just need people to work. it's a material and financial driven country. general priority in life here is different from else where. it's even worse in asia. no matter how miserable people are, people still go into work, mostly in fear of losing a job. americans also do not welcome change. taking a vacation involves but not limited to changing: habits, culture, food, routine...etc
we slave for our jobs, and if everyone does it, the people who don't... will eventually fall behind...
Posted By frank on February 1, 2012, 4:25 PM