Monica

Maira, you must also be a government employee. I just made 15 years in the government and my annual paid leave is now 8 hours every two weeks, or 26 days of vacation. I still have about 60 days that I haven't used from this year. I'm also on the alternate work schedule and have every other Monday off. Tomorrow is my day off! Although I am now accumulating more annual leave, I still take one big vacation each year. My husband work schedule varies each month.

ilisa

I work for a non-profit which currently gives me 10 days a year as well as around 10 federal holidays and 2 floating holidays. The floating holidays I can never use for vacation because I need them for religious holidays. In January my vacation days will be increased to 15. While I could probably cope with that very nicely, my boss frowns upon anyone taking too much time off at any one time. He would have a fit if I remotely suggested at a 2 week vacation. Also, while it sounds nice to get federal holidays, my husband usually has to work them. Regardless of how much leave I accumulate, when my husband and I go on vacation in October, I will have to take it unpaid because I was forced to use all of my accumulated and unaccumulated leave for the year to supplement my unpaid maternity leave (don't get me started on that one!). I don't know if anyone else has encountered this, but I also have worked for bosses who pride themselves on not taking any vacation at all.

Dave

Another curious aspect especially related to large, manufacturing-oriented companies is "shutdown". <BR> <BR>Many of the facilities at my company were closed for maintenance the first two weeks of July. If you happen to work in a building where the power/water are shut off, you have no option but to take time off (possibly unpaid). Even if your facility isn't affected, there is a lot of subtle pressure from management to get everyone to take their vacation at this time. <BR> <BR>This is a real hassle for new employees, who only get two weeks vacation per year, especially since shutdown is always scheduled during the hottest, busiest, most expensive travel season. <BR>

Gina

I work for a DC association which is fairly reasonable about leave. We begin accruing 3 weeks' annual leave from the day we start (approximately 4.9 hours per two-week pay period, and a vacation day requires 7 hours); generally, you're not allowed to *use* any of the vacation time until you've been there 6 months, but the time's accruing anyway. You don't get bumped to four weeks until you've been there five years, though. <BR> <BR>At my previous job, it was two weeks the first year, three the second, and then four weeks when you were *in* your fifth year--in other words, once you'd been with the company four full years. <BR> <BR>Like I said, for the U.S., both of these appear to be comparatively good policies.

K. Aikin

My European friends are generally horrified by the US vacation allowances. I, like some of the posters above, work for the federal government. I accrue 4 hours of leave every two weeks. When I reach 3 years of service, I will accrue 6 hours of leave every two weeks. I can "carry over" (take with me from year to year) 240 hours of annual leave. Anything over that has to be used or lost. <BR> <BR>While we're all reforming the US leave system, let's reform the maternity leave system as well.

Ksvey

Wow!!!!! <BR> <BR>Firstly thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply on what I know is not a travel question (though pretty important in order to be able to travel!) <BR> <BR>I am amazed! <BR> <BR>I have a couple more things to say... <BR> <BR>In terms of finding it difficult to cover for staff in these days of skeleton staffing we have the same issue here in the last few years. Most companies have halved or worse the depts despite doubling the workload. I know many many colleagues who find it very very difficult to fit in the time off, but at least they have a contractual entitlement to it. <BR> <BR>What often happens in many jobs is that you work like a B*****d for the weeks before you go away trying to anticipate work and do it in advance and then you work like a B*****d again when you get back to get through your usual workload as well as the stuff which accrued when you were away... but I think most people would agree that while this is unfair (in that you dont really get that unpaid leave if you end up working the same number of hours overtime instead) it is infinitely preferable to not having the holiday at all. <BR> <BR>In terms of how long you can be away consecutively most companies have limitations depending on the job you do. In my company all leave is at manager's discretion in terms of when it is taken but managers also have to ensure their staff can take the time off at some point. You usually can't take more than 2 weeks off in one go but can often ask for longer breaks on odd occasions for special events such as weddings/honeymoons, a trip to Australia etc etc. <BR> <BR>Personally I seldom take any holidays longer than 10 days. Usually I have 2 x 2 weeks plus lots of shorter breaks of 3 to 5 days. I only take 10+ days for longer haul trips such as USA, India or Far East. <BR> <BR>Re Shutdown rules, many companies have a shutdown for the three days between Xmas and New Year (in addition to Xmas and Boxing Day national holidays). In this case you must take these 3 days out of your allowance, like it or not. <BR> <BR>The rule about "take it or lose it" is increasingly being applied here too. Though we have a rule in my company which states that if you were unable to take your leave due to business needs then you can carry it over for a limited period. <BR> <BR>My last job gave me 17 days + 3 company assigned days which were always at this time. The job previous to that gave me 25 days of which 22 were company assigned. <BR> <BR>Now I get 25 of which one is always 24th December. <BR> <BR>We also get only 8 national holidays here in England (rest of UK different): 2 at Xmas, one for 1st Jan (or nearest weekday) as well as 2 for Easter, 2 others in May and one in August. This is less than most countries, I believe. <BR>My husband has been contracting as a programmer for the last year and a half. Unlike most contractors we know he did it more for the leave than for the money. He earns about 25% more than he did in a permie job so not huge amounts but he takes about 3 months a year as non working days, and like previous posters, no work = no pay! <BR> <BR>I would do this too but I find that for IT Trainers contracting is not the same as for programmers. There are very few 3 - 6 moth contracts. You end up booking days here and tehre for myriad different clients and tis is a chase job in itself. Not for me!!! <BR> <BR>Kavey

Dayna

I am considering applying for a position in the UK. Does the 25 days of annual leave include sick leave?

elvira

One of the biggest plusses to my company is the vacation accrual; granted, the policy still stinks in comparison to European vacations, but we get 8 hrs/month for the first 3 years, then 10 hrs a month until 9 years, then it's some wacky fraction. We also have the ability to 'borrow' ahead; if I want to take 15 days in September (when I've accrued only 90 hrs), I can 'borrow' against future accruals. We also get 2 "floating holidays", which are ours a/o January 1. When the whippersnappers start griping "man I'm going over to Biggest Competitor, they pay better", I point out ('cause I used to work at BC) they'll give up 14 days vacation immediately (BC makes you work a whole year before you get 5 days vacation, no 'borrowing'). <BR> <BR>Oh and whatever happened to "with all this technology and these labor-saving devices, everyone's workload will be lightened by a half"?

AJ

Elivira, I had to laugh at your last comment, because that is truly the irony of American productivity. When computers were being widely introduced into company culture, we were all so thrilled that we would be able to do our jobs in 4 days, instead of 5 per week, and that we would get more vacation, et alia. What essentially happened is that the workers continued to work the same hours, but productivity skyrocketed. Maybe what we actually needed were robots, not computers! <BR> <BR>Everyone is right on with the above. I left American corporate life because I could suddenly see my way to the top (at least to the top of the glass ceiling!) And what I saw was that near the top, the accountability, time commitment, and total absorption got worse. I became an investment broker, and I can take as much time off as I want. But of course my kids don't eat if I don't work. The trick is to strike a nice balance, and this is one of the few professions to allow one to dictate one's own schedule.

Brian in Atlanta

In defense of big corporations, I think some of them are getting the message. <BR> <BR>My employer, a regional bank, has moved to the "Paid Time Off" system that a poster mentioned before. With less than 3 years at the bank, an employee gets 22 days off (plus holidays), but this includes all days off (vacation, sick leave, etc.). This steps up to 27 days when you make VP. It is clear, however, that senior management is responding to competitive recruiting and rention pressures - they certainly did not do this out of the goodness of their hearts. <BR> <BR>Now, I wonder how many people will work through illnesses (infecting others) so not to give up any vacation days?

cp

Whew! I'm glad I work for a liberal, software publisher. <BR> <BR>Our policy is 2 weeks vaca + 12 sick for the first two years. Then you get 3 weeks + sicktime on the completion of 2 years and 4 weeks + sicktime on the completion of 7 years. Additionally, we have downtime between Christmas and New Years. Those of us poor saps in the necessary depts are comped with extra pay or extra vacation days during this shutdown period. We also get the 11 standard american holidays.

kam

A partner in a law firm can take as much time as he/she wants during the year. Unfortunately, if you don't bill clients, you don't feed yourself or your family. My husband was in the office (with many partners) on July 4th. What were the rest of you lucky souls doing that day??

David

It has always amased me as to the conditions that most workers in the USA work under. <BR> <BR>Here in Australia, and in particular in the company that I work for, our conditions must seem like Utopia to all citizens of the USA. <BR> <BR>I receive 20 days pa (160 hours - 4 weeks) calculated @ 3.07 hours per week, which started accruing from the day I commenced work. Holiday hours can be taken at any time during the first, and subsequent years, and can be accrued - currently I have 284 hours (just over 7 weeks) owing to me. When taken, they are subject to a 17.5% annual leave loading (bonus) to compensate for any overtime payments that may have been paid. I can take as little as 1 day, or all of the hours owed in one block. The great part of this is of course, that even when on Holidays I still accrue 3.07 holiday hours per week. Unused holiday hours are paid out if you leave the company. <BR> <BR>In addition, after 7.5 years, you become eligible for Long Service Leave Pro-Rata payment if you leave (LSL is 13 weeks leave @ 10 years of service). As well we also get approx 10 Public Holidays yearly (depending on the State in which you reside), plus 10 days pa sick leave, which, depending on the company that you work for, can be accrued (but never paid out if you leave the company). <BR> <BR>However, the down side is that to be able to visit the USA or Europe it is an 18 and 23 hour flight respectively. So we need more time off to be able to do all the things we want to do.

Lu B.

I, too, work for a major company in the States. This thread is depressing!! <BR> <BR>I would surely love more vacation time. I am with this firm for two years. In three more, I will get 3 weeks vacation. <BR>I eagerly await..... <BR> <BR>{Sigh} <BR> <BR>Lu

Kittie

My two cents worth: <BR>I think that Lori was right in her 7/24 post: the reason most Americans try to get alot of travelling done in two weeks is because that is all we get for a year. Many Europeans have stated to me that Americans try to do too much in a short length of time. They should try travelling their set itineraries in two weeks! <BR>For me: I work 32 hours a week (mon-Thurs 8-5). Yes this is part time. I am a dental hygienist and have tendonitis and possible carpal tunnel syndrome. I had to make a decision: work more days now and possibly work for fewer years or work fewer days now and possibly work for more years. When I work hygiene 5 days in a row my hand kills me. Working part-time means that I don't get ANY benefits. Now, due to 9 years of loyal service they have given me two weeks (80 hours-8days+two extra) paid vacation. I have to use the weeks by the end of the year or I lose them. <BR>Kittie

Joanna

Kavey, yes we have 4 weeks/year annual leave plus public holidays (about another 5/6 days). And we do get something called "leave loading", which is an extra 17.5% of salary while on leave. Strange, but true. As regards sick leave, it depends on your company. Mine will pay for it as long as you need it (though for more than 2 days running you need a Dr's certificate). With regard to Long Service Leave, it accrues after 10/15 years depending on the company and is 3 months paid leave. However, you can sometimes use some of the leave as accrued. I started a thread on this some months ago now because I couldn't believe how short a time US tourists seemed to spend on holidays in Europe.

francesca

In France, the standard is 5 weeks. Straight away, and nearly everywhere. No one cares when you take it (but they will grumble at my co. if you take more than 2 weeks outside the summer months). We also get the Catholic holidays! PS--most enlightened (ie high tech) cos. in the US give 3 weeks vacation straight off the bat, at least that's been my experience.

Dave

I am an American working for a large European company.While Americans have shorter vacations, they also have higher salaries,lower taxes, and higher overall standards of living as measured by disposable income, home ownership, etc. Having said that, I would take a 1/12 salary cut for a month's more vacation!

Tricia

I quit working full time because of the lousy system of 10 days off. I now print my own business cards and flyers and promote myself as a freelance Escrow Officer. Instead of $12 an hour I ask for $16.00 because I receive no benefits but I am "free" and I love it. A major company who shall remain nameless just offered me a full time position with a wonderful 5 days off after one year, 5 sick days for the first year and 7 paid holidays and no overtime. These women in this office (its an all woman office) never ever take more than 5 days at a time and rarely do they do that. Usually their vacation consists of a 3 day weekend trip to Vegas or the beach. They never go out on their lunch hours and stay late every night. I want to throttle them and SAY, get a life. When they hear about my trips to Europe and see the pictures they just lust away but they are trapped and they let themselves be! Wake up ladies!

ateacher

I'm a high school teacher -- and YES I have lots of vacation time. However, on the down side, my vacation is when every family with school aged children is also on vacation. That means we usually pay top prices for any vactions during school holidays. My husband works for a major US corporation and this year after 20 years with the co. will get 4 weeks (20 days) of paid vaction. He has NEVER taken more than one week off at a time because it's "frowned" on and is not allowed to take more than one of the weeks during summer. We are waiting for retirement to do some of the long term travel we'd love to do!