U.S. workers lag in vacation time
Memorial Day weekend is widely considered the kickoff of the American vacation season.
But are we taking as many vacations these days — especially when compared with the rest of the industrialized world?
Only 57 percent of U.S. workers use up all of the days they’re entitled to, compared with 89 percent of workers in France, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found, according to a CNN story.
What’s more, we get fewer vacation days.
“The United States is the only advanced economy in the world that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation,” writes the Center for Economic and Policy Research in a 2007 report, “No-Vacation Nation.” The center is a progressive think-tank based in Washington, D.C.
By contrast, European countries establish legal rights to at least 20 days of paid vacation per year, the report says.
The gap between paid time off in the U.S. and much of the world grows larger if legally mandated paid holidays are included, the report says. The U.S. offers none, but most of the rest of the world’s rich countries offer between five and 13 paid holidays per year.
Also, the report says, almost one in four Americans have no paid vacation and no paid holidays.
According to government survey data, the average worker in the private sector receives about nine days of paid vacation and about six paid holidays per year, the report says. That’s less than the minimum legal standard set in the rest of world’s rich economies, excluding Japan, the report says.
The paid vacation and paid holidays that employers do make available is distributed unequally, the report says. Lower-wage workers are less likely to have any paid vacation (69 percent) than higher-wage workers are (88 percent).
How’s your situation? In this economy, are you skipping some vacation days? Why?
When you’re on vacation, do you find yourself working? Why?
Here is a link to a PDF of the full report.
- Henry Unger, The Biz Beat
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161 comments Add your comment
TrishaDishaWarEagle
May 29th, 2011
7:22 pm
@truthsquad.. I have no code speak, If you want me to say the core of my ideology is every person for themselves, then yes that IS THE BASIS OF MY CORE BELIEFS! I’m not what you call warm and friendly or a people person. I work for one reason and one reason only. Money. I live for one person and one person only..ME. (yes I care about a few other people, family, friends, etc.. but not enough to change my goals , for them) I worry about the needs and desires of one person only..ME.
If that bothers someone, they better just find a way to get used to it, because I am not changing.
Babs
May 29th, 2011
8:58 pm
Trisha, I again, totally agree. As a matter of fact, that is what Rand’s philosophy was. People call it selfish, but it’s that trait that drives people to be the best they can be at what they do. I admire you for saying it. Like you, I am only concerned about taking care of me because that’s my responsibility. I also care about a few people, but very few. Now as for animals and pets, that’s a different story. You should never compromise your values, and this whole mantra of “for the collective good” is NOT the ideology this country was founded on. We’ve gotten so far away from what we are supposed to be, I don’t even recognize my own country. That’s why there is a movement to take it back before we become Western Europe. The only way to do it is using common sense and taking responsibility for ourselves, each and every one of us. The price of freedom is personal responsibility, something a lot of people have not been brought up to understand. If people want a Socialist government, there are many to choose from elsewhere.
TnGelding
May 30th, 2011
2:43 am
In the greatest country in the history of the world? Say it ain’t so! More time off and a 32-35 hour workweek should open up some jobs.
Dad used to always have to take his vacation during a holiday week so he could afford to take one.
I never liked to take any time off because I knew I wouldn’t want to go back to spend so much time with such loathsome people. I loved the work tho, but I’m paying for it now with poor health.
TnGelding
May 30th, 2011
2:48 am
Our military personnel have little to do with our freedom. They’re too busy looking out for the rest of the world on their president’s whim. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be respected. They certainly do a magnificent job. We could use some of them here at home. Especially their money that is fueling Germany, Japan and Korea’s economies. They’d still be in Vietnam if Congress hadn’t cut off funding.
proudnot2bliberal
May 30th, 2011
7:26 am
But the lil marxist writer fails to mention that the socialist utopia in europe is falling apart. Im sure even pinheads like the writer of this drivel has seen the riots in Greece, Portugal, Spain & the rest of the EU even on PMSnbc. All related to cut backs in the overly generous benefits packages they get that are bankrupting the EU. As for this country look what the unions have done here when they get too powerful, they started out in the railroads moved to the shipping to the textile then to the auto industries.
Babs
May 30th, 2011
7:53 am
@TnGelding, you are so right – yes, they are the vessels that fight our wars, but those wars are orchestrated by governments in bed with the Federal Reserve and major banks throughout Europe. They make most of their money on the costly debt of war, along with countries that need rebuilding. The powers that be on Wall Street have mostly been instrumental in the war efforts, not only involving the US, but others as well. @proudnot2bliberal, thanks, along with Trisha, for standing up and telling the truth, as I’ve taken a beating on this board. Amazing as to how many progressives there are out there, but then again, we know why we have an idiot-in-chief perpetually jet-setting around the world on our dime, while accomplishing nothing to help this country. I don’t care what anyone says, he’s the Marxist. All it takes is looking into his upbringing and background, and people will have a better understanding of what makes this guy tick.
Babs
May 30th, 2011
8:23 am
There is an excellent article on americanthinker.com today – “Will America Suffer the Fate of Rome?” – when you look at how the Republic moved to empire to disaster, you’ll see the familiarity.
TnGelding
May 30th, 2011
1:12 pm
I’m still willing to give Obama the benefit of a doubt. But time is running out!
Myrina Stein
May 31st, 2011
2:18 am
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GaryAMG
May 31st, 2011
6:18 am
Vacation?
The Tea Party turn
June 1st, 2011
6:43 am
It’s time for the Tea Party to make the turn against the corporations that fund them and try to redirect their criticisms of a unjust economic system. Yes, Tea Party it’s time to open your eyes. The Republican Party and many in the Democratic Party are corporate shills, these politicians have been preying upon your frustrations.
These politicians tell us to be self reliant and yet we already are. Unlike our counterparts in other advanced nations, we have no guarantee of health care. We have no guarantee of vacation time. Now the Republicans want to dismantle our guarantee that we will not grow old in abject poverty and without health care.