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I’ve worked at a non-descript Californian office for 16 months now. In that time I’ve taken a total of seven paid days off. Six of those were spent in Maui and one was in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.
To people in Japan and anyone who’s grown up in the US, that amount of time off would seem downright decadent. But I’m Australian, and I’m used to 20 days paid “vacation” and eight “holidays” each year.
So when I tried to apply for a measly 10 days off toddle off to Sydney to see friends, enjoy the summer and visit my Dad for his birthday I was not very happy to see that I only had eight days leave owing to me.
Apart from that, two weeks off is considered a “very long” time by managers and the like. Here’s a tip, if you’re an expat who’s looking to move to a country that will support your penchant for travel, Portugal’s your place. All up you get 35 paid days off a year.
All of the countries listed above, and a bunch more have legislated time-off. That means employers must give you a certain number of paid days off, or they’re breaking the law. The US has no such legislation – or at least none that I’ve been able to find.
If you’re working in the US and you have paid vacation days written into your contract, congratulations! Your employer’s doing that off their own back – there’s nothing forcing them to give that to you.Except maybe common sense.
I don’t know of many people who are able to give their 100 per cent best effort to work every day of the year without sufficient downtime. We’re all human, we need some relatively stress-free time with family, friends and to relax. Then we’ll come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to work hard.
Now keep your fingers crossed for me and my vacation time. I really want to visit Australia. Cherry Ripes don’t just appear out of thin air you know.
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France is also pretty good – 35 hour week and 5 weeks paid vacay! Lots of public holidays too …and then there are all the days they go on strike.
I so do not get US situation. What..no paid holidays?? Is this because they pay you so well in the work weeks of the year? Gosh I hope you get your trip home. You need some Aussie voices around you, some family hugs and good old Summer sunshine D xx
Really great!
I hope you get the approved holiday! Hubby works in Sydney for an American company and although they still get the bog standard 20 days annual leave, taking off for more than 2 weeks at a time is seriously frowned upon. Has American management heard of the old adage "all work and no play…" ?!
I'm an Aussie who has worked in the US for the last 15 years, never have I heard of a company that doesn't offer paid holidays. Depending on employer, I have had 3-4 weeks a year plus a sabbatical of 8 weeks every 7 years.
Neither do I. I don't understand that they're so against the Government providing support and getting reasonable entitlements.
My PA friends get paid holidays. Well he does (she doesn't – she's a teacher's aid). But he had to work up to it. Had to work a year to get a week off, then two years for two weeks off etc. I'm pretty sure he now gets 4 weeks paid a year.
Fingers crossed!
I flipping know, I was reading about France and got sooooo jealous. Portugal is living the dream though.
Summer! Winter hasn't even begun Denyse and I'm craving sun like nobody's business Denyse!
Exactly Lydia! People would be so much happier and so much more relaxed.
I didn't realise how spoiled I was till I moved here Sammie! As a journalist we worked public holidays so to make up for it we got 5 weeks annual leave. I used to save it all and go on a mega trip. Not anymore.
I was kind of shocked when my application for eight days off in a row was met with "that's a very long time!"
Wow, that's fantastic Naomi. We get one week in the first week of employment and maybe two weeks in the second year. No sabbaticals bit after ten years I think you can take three months leave without pay.
That sounds about right. Too bad if you get itchy feet and want or need to leave before the year is out.
SO I want to know what are you going to do? You cant beat a trip home to get yourself some Aussie love and sun and what about LWOP? For goodness sake, I hope you can get the leave..or you may LEAVE!! Thanks for linking up #lifethisweek. Denyse x
OMG, Portugal here I come, lol! This is a real eye-opener I had no idea it varied so much from place to place.
I'm pretty lucky I get 36 paid days off a year. I've been with my company for 17 years though so it took a while to earn that.
You can't work every damn day, you need time to relax and have a damn break! No leave is just ridiculous!
IKR Di? I feel like I may have chosen the wrong country to move to. Although learning Portugese seems like it might be above and beyond my skills at this point.
Woo Paula! You've hit the jackpot there. I can see why though, that's A LOT of loyalty. š
Yeah! Dammit! What's your mum's email address so that I can give her all my news first š