4 ms·

I am from Europe and several of my colleagues went to work to our USA branch (within the same corp). They told me the same thing I am reading in the article - i

by greyman 17y ago

I am from Europe and several of my colleagues went to work to our USA branch (within the same corp). They told me the same thing I am reading in the article - in USA, they work harder and more hours per day. And we are not a startup! [By contrast here in the UK I’m well aware that the legal requirement is 20 days (4 weeks’ worth!) and everyone is keeping track — and actually taking them!] This is funny - I am really surprised that the author is surprised about that. ;-) Of course, I take those full 4 weeks, and I am also required to do so, otherwise the company would have to pay me extra money for those days, which they usually do not want to do. We are also encouraged to take at least one two-weeks long vacation "to fully recover". Moreover, in my country we have as much as 15 non-working days (state holidays). Anyway, I'd like to hear some perspective of you living in USA - it is really enough for you to have just 10 days of vacation per year? Is that number even correct? And... what you think is the actual reason that working so many hours and days per year is valued so much? What's the point - to make more money, or to prove oneself, or is it just a best spended time? I am really curious to learn more about it.

onewland 17y ago
I get 12 vacation and 5 sick days/year, plus a few (maybe 9) holidays off. I think I'm probably at about the median of vacation days for a standard American professional (maybe on the low end for the software industry). I like the month plan better. I think there's a split in ideology here. A lot of people think we lose our competitive edge if we take more vacation. I think we'd really be at about the same productivity level but a lot happier. I think, in general, we're heading to the more leisurely schedule that you guys are. And I think that in talent-based work, a more leisurely schedule will bring about better quality and productivity.
- robryan 17y ago
  I always thought the 4 weeks compulsory time off in Australia (same as UK I guess) was on the low side. I mean if you don't get some time every year to sit back, take a holiday and enjoy what are you working for? I guess there is a big difference between doing a job you love and being stuck in something to.
mmt 17y ago
The OP states that the legal holiday entitlement in the US is 10. I have yet to find any mention of it in labor law, however, so I would put the number at 0. That said, I have yet to have fewer than 8 holidays plus 10 vacation days officially allotted, though it's only ever been tracked at larger companies (or small/startup companies run by managers with a large-company mentality).

by greyman 17y ago

onewland 17y ago

I get 12 vacation and 5 sick days/year, plus a few (maybe 9) holidays off. I think I'm probably at about the median of vacation days for a standard American professional (maybe on the low end for the software industry). I like the month plan better. I think there's a split in ideology here. A lot of people think we lose our competitive edge if we take more vacation. I think we'd really be at about the same productivity level but a lot happier. I think, in general, we're heading to the more leisurely schedule that you guys are. And I think that in talent-based work, a more leisurely schedule will bring about better quality and productivity.

robryan 17y ago
I always thought the 4 weeks compulsory time off in Australia (same as UK I guess) was on the low side. I mean if you don't get some time every year to sit back, take a holiday and enjoy what are you working for? I guess there is a big difference between doing a job you love and being stuck in something to.

mmt 17y ago

The OP states that the legal holiday entitlement in the US is 10. I have yet to find any mention of it in labor law, however, so I would put the number at 0. That said, I have yet to have fewer than 8 holidays plus 10 vacation days officially allotted, though it's only ever been tracked at larger companies (or small/startup companies run by managers with a large-company mentality).