no vacation nation

[MoeMoe]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/29/no-vacation-nation-why-wo_n_868660.html

interesting USA, no vacation nation...think its true?

[Steveo]

I know my last vacation that didn't include 3 day weekends was when I got married in 06

[LazerFlash]

Although I've been out of 'Corporate America' for about a decade, I can tell you that one reason that Americans might tend to take less vacation time, is that their companies made it harder and harder to use it, (even though many now have use-it-or-lose-it policies). Back-in-the-day, when I had actual "annual leave" to use, trying to actually schedule and then take it was a practical impossibility. I know that my BIL, who is a contractor working for one of those alphabet gov't agencies, usually ends up scheduling/canceling/rescheduling his vacation at least once during the year. And, then, there was the phenomenon (at least for me) where I worked harder the week before and the week after, that I pretty much felt like taking vacation was a waste of time.

[danid512]

I can see this. Especially in bigger cities where people are more absorbed with their careers.

Myself, it's technically very easy to take time off. My boss is generous, and understanding.

However, I don't really have anyone that can do my job in my absence. There's one person that can do the basics for me but honestly, it's such a pain to catch up, and go back and typically fix what was done when I was out, that taking time off for a vacation is slightly terrifying. I do take the occasional three day weekend for my sanity. And I'm thinking about taking a week at the end of october to hit the beach but that'd be the first actual vacation I've taken in my professional life (which, mind you, has only been about three years!).

[Black Dog]

Vacation? What is this thing you speak of?

[Kensey]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=2][COLOR=darkred]Although I've been out of 'Corporate America' for about a decade, I can tell you that one reason that Americans might tend to take less vacation time, is that their companies made it harder and harder to use it, (even though many now have use-it-or-lose-it policies). Back-in-the-day, when I had actual "annual leave" to use, trying to actually schedule and then take it was a practical impossibility. I know that my BIL, who is a contractor working for one of those alphabet gov't agencies, usually ends up scheduling/canceling/rescheduling his vacation at least once during the year.

My last manager at Unisys was like this. He actually told us once "I don't see why people have so much vacation built up. Taking two weeks or more off is irresponsible, you should use it in one-week increments or less over the year." The same guy would then give you a headache if you tried to actually take time off for any reason (when I called out for snow once he replied "I don't get why it's so hard for you to get in, we only got a dusting here in Maryland").

Admittedly he was an outlier; most of the managers before and after him were much more reasonable. But there are plenty more just like him out there.


However, I don't really have anyone that can do my job in my absence. There's one person that can do the basics for me but honestly, it's such a pain to catch up, and go back and typically fix what was done when I was out, that taking time off for a vacation is slightly terrifying.

Are you in IT too? Because I've been that guy more often than not. Admittedly some of it is just that I like things done a certain way, but equally often what gets done is wrong in some fundamental fashion, and I have to go back and do it over which takes twice as long as it would have to do it myself in the first place...

My last couple of "vacations" have coincided with the birth of our kids.

[danid512]

Are you in IT too? Because I've been that guy more often than not. Admittedly some of it is just that I like things done a certain way, but equally often what gets done is wrong in some fundamental fashion, and I have to go back and do it over which takes twice as long as it would have to do it myself in the first place...

My last couple of "vacations" have coincided with the birth of our kids.

Nope. Manage a veterinary practice. Things go... poorly when I'm not there. Thankfully I got semi-smart about 6 months ago and started cross training some of my staff to be able to do the daily basics. But there are some things that just aren't feasible for them to do when I'm out. But at least things don't break down if I miss a day like they used to!

I feel for you IT guys. I have a few friends that do it and they have a very hard time missing work!

[cindylu]

Thankfully I got semi-smart about 6 months ago and started cross training some of my staff to be able to do the daily basics.

That is exactly what you should do. I was very lucky that my boss was a big believer that if you earn vacation time you should/must take it. Get refreshed. He also taught us to cross-train each other. There should always be a back up. He did not want to interrupt anyone on vacation and encouraged everyone to back up one another.

[Tony]

In small retail I could take off all I wanted, but didn't get paid for any of it. Useless. The wife is in larger Euro-origin retail and gets like a whopping (for the US) 4 weeks a year of paid vacation. But it too turns out to be mostly useless since it can only be taken at certain times and they don't pay her nearly enough to actually afford travel - which is what she likes to equate vacation to.

[grafxgirl]

The same guy would then give you a headache if you tried to actually take time off for any reason (when I called out for snow once he replied "I don't get why it's so hard for you to get in, we only got a dusting here in Maryland").

The VP of the company I used to work for was like that too (I had to answer to him). One day when I called in because of the ice up on the mountain, I talked to the graphics department manager (my direct boss). He told me the VP was going to raise heck. I told him if they wanted me to come in he could use his nice Jeep to come get me. Well, he did, and he never volunteered or complained when I called in due to weather again. He said he was terrified driving on the mountain in that weather.

[kallista]

In small retail I could take off all I wanted, but didn't get paid for any of it. Useless. The wife is in larger Euro-origin retail and gets like a whopping (for the US) 4 weeks a year of paid vacation. But it too turns out to be mostly useless since it can only be taken at certain times and they don't pay her nearly enough to actually afford travel - which is what she likes to equate vacation to.

Actually I get 6 weeks a year off, but as with any other retail job there is a lot of times I can't take off. The months of November and December, the week of Valentine's day and the 2 weeks before Easter.

Other than that as long as I have no open positions or have to travel for the company I can do what I want. Though they don't like us to take more than a week at a time if I really needed it it would be approved.

[Wormdoc]

Black Dog, vacation if for folks who don't supply us with the life sustaining black gold. For those who do, well, since we can't live without it no vacation for you!

[BigTom]

I've spent way too many years working my ass off without any vacations. Believe my time off is much more important to me than my time at work (as some of my customers already know). I had a contractor, who scheduled a meeting he wanted me to attend during the first week of deer season, tell me I needed to "get my priorities right". I told him my priorities were right. People work hard all year long so they can take a week of deer season off, NOBODY hunts all year long so they can take a week off to go to work. When he sold his business, a couple years later, he admitted I was right and came to our hunting camp to hunt.

[derricksonb]

I'm in IT and part of my comp package is 5 weeks of leave per year of which I usually take about 1-2 weeks. The problem is not scheduling or having the request rejected as I don't request leave. I schedule my vacations and if my employers don't like it... so sad too bad. My reasoning for not using all 5 weeks is two fold. First being that GG only gets 2 weeks per year so at this time our leave is quite disproportionate. Second, my company allows me to carry 480 hours of leave. I've been there for 2.5 years and have built up 240+ hours. Once I reach 480 I can then take two different approaches as anything over 480 becomes use it or lose it OR they can cut me a check for the overage twice a year. Not to mention that if/when one parts ways with the company that accrued vacation time makes for a very healthy parting gift.....

[lar]

Lord I need a vacation and I am on the countdown to a nice 5 days in Hatteras, I CANNOT WAIT!!!!! And frankly I don't care what goes on at work while I am gone and if anyone else I work with goes on vacation I will NEVER call them I will just find another way.

[kemeigen]

I take vacation time as often as I can, whether that means a day or two here and there or a week at a time. I do worry about what's going on at work, but they call me if there is a major problem. The last vacation we took I was called twice. I'd rather try to deal with it when it's happening than deal with it when I get back as I can usually fix it over the phone. The only issue I have taking leave is that I try to schedule my leave around my technicians. I always feel that their leave comes first (my mom thinks this is crazy talk). Now I AM worried about taking 6 weeks of maternity leave at the end of the year and leaving them here by themselves for that long and during our College of American Pathologists inspection window. I really don't want to have to go in for that right after having a baby.

[PezCollector]

BDub, check your co policy, vacation is a liability on the books - and don't discover, like I did, right before leaving my last job, that it only paid out at 25% - I had 180 hours :-(

I won't waste vacation now, my new job has a use it or lose it policy, it resets each year on your anniversary. Plus, I negotiated an extra week just to keep up with Bubba (who has been at his job 17+ years and has massive amounts of leave).

Tony - Vacation includes a variation of the word - VACATE - vacate your job, and home. Kallista works hard, and she deserves fabulous vacations!!!!

[derricksonb]

Under our company's policy annual leave pays out at 100% of the current value, but I believe it is taxed at the same rate as capital gains or bonuses.

When I left my last company I had accrued 268 hours (They would only allow carrying over 240 into the next fiscal year) which thy cashed out at the same tax rate. After I left they changed their policy and lowered the number of hours that could be carried over to 160.

[lar]

Whooo, you are some vacation accruing people. We can only cap out at 80 hours at our company I think.

[danid512]

Lord I need a vacation and I am on the countdown to a nice 5 days in Hatteras, I CANNOT WAIT!!!!! And frankly I don't care what goes on at work while I am gone and if anyone else I work with goes on vacation I will NEVER call them I will just find another way.

Ugh I'm so jealous right now. I've been trying to figure out a weekend to get down to Hatteras for the past two months. Usually doesn't work out for me till October or so. But then it's nice and quiet, at least.

Enjoy! And... go eat at Owens. :)

[grafxgirl]

I'm taking 3 work days plus 2 weekend days for a beach trip this summer. This winter I'm taking 5 work days, 2 holiday days, and 2 weekend days off to partly spend with family in NC and to go to Disney. I may be taking an extra 2 weeks this summer that I had not expected to have to take in order to have my tonsils and adenoids out :-(

[PhoenixOrion]

The term, workaholic comes to mind.

Even in a recession. If you're living within your means and still working w/o reaping the benefits... Why?

[lar]

I think my hubby takes his guys to Owens. We are thinking about leaving our camper down there for a few extra months. I am pretty much a sun worshipper so October is a little late for me, but I do like surf fishing. U just have to make the time, it is a bit of a drive for a short period but so worth it.

[derricksonb]

The term, workaholic comes to mind.

Along with other types of holics....


Even in a recession. If you're living within your means and still working w/o reaping the benefits... Why?

To me building up a buffer in case the economy goes further south is a small security blanket in case I lose my funding. Should that happen I'll have a three month buffer from which to either cash out entirely or to take as leave once the contract ends or overhead runs out while I look for other opportunities.


I think my hubby takes his guys to Owens. We are thinking about leaving our camper down there for a few extra months. I am pretty much a sun worshipper so October is a little late for me, but I do like surf fishing. U just have to make the time, it is a bit of a drive for a short period but so worth it.

I've always enjoyed the Outer Banks during September after Labor Day.

[lar]

I am barely living within my means right now with my travel and gas expense it is killing my budget, but nothing is stopping my vacations. We work FOR them, we will just be low budget.

[LazerFlash]

...I'll have a three month buffer from which to either cash out entirely or to take as leave once the contract ends or overhead runs out while I look for other opportunities.Good luck with that... According to current wisdom, you'll need to allow at least 2-3 months per $10K in salary that you're looking to take home. I know of at least two individuals who one would think would have no trouble finding re-employment, who have been out of work now for close to a year. And, a third who isn't quite so employable, (and should go back to school to be retrained for something else), who after two years has pretty much given up on a regular job search - although he does go through the motions and spends at least one day a week at the Maryland unemployment office. And, then, there's me (admittedly a very special case): Except for a brief stint delivering the Buyer's Guide in 2005, I've not worked for anyone other than myself since August 2004. I do have to say that I have had the most amount of callbacks and/or interviews this past 4-5 months. But, so far, they've netted me about as much as the previous silence from potential employers. (Less if you consider the actual cost of driving to-and-from interviews.)

[Chutney Daftcraft]

I am barely living within my means right now with my travel and gas expense it is killing my budget, but nothing is stopping my vacations. We work FOR them, we will just be low budget.

You know, I was just thinking about you after I passed you this morning on Chestnut Hill.

Is it even worth going to work in that bus? After you subtract travel expenses, is there even a gain?

[lar]

You know, I was just thinking about you after I passed you this morning on Chestnut Hill.

Is it even worth going to work in that bus? After you subtract travel expenses, is there even a gain?

I don't know of any bus that goes to Glenelg and I also have a site between Ellicott City and Clarksville so I have to move around. I would be claustrophobic if I didn't have my own wheels but I wish I had a commuter car. It's no less than $200 per week just to work, that's not including the mom taxi service I provide.

[lar]

Chutney, I saw you this morning at the last minute and I was thinking "damn, he saw me texting while driving".

[Chutney Daftcraft]

I meant bus as in that thing you drive. It's two rows of seating shy of a bus.

[lar]

Oh yea, hahahaha, misread that. Yea I guess it helps out keeping my job, but some days I wonder.

[grafxgirl]

Chutney, I saw you this morning at the last minute and I was thinking "damn, he saw me texting while driving".

I saw Chutney last week on the way home from work. I was sitting in traffic on the Leesburg Bypass when all of a sudden this purple rectangular box with a WV license plate slides in front of my car. Inside that purple box thing I see someone be-bopping his head. I thought. "I wonder....." Then the purple box thing gets off the Charles Town exit and I continue to Purcellville since I had to go to Giant for groceries. I look over and it sure was Chutney!

[PhoenixOrion]

Along with other types of holics....

If that's the case, does the question even apply? Seems there's a deeper issue here...


To me building up a buffer in case the economy goes further south is a small security blanket in case I lose my funding. Should that happen I'll have a three month buffer from which to either cash out entirely or to take as leave once the contract ends or overhead runs out while I look for other opportunities.

Again. If one is living within their means (savings and all), why not reap the benefits as well?

[derricksonb]

Again. If one is living within their means (savings and all), why not reap the benefits as well?

What does living within ones means have to deal with saving and accruing leave? Seems to me that it's another way to save for the future.

Believe me I reap the benefits of my career. I understand the importance of building up a cache of hours in case something unexpected comes up. At some point I'd like to have surgery to correct some issues in both feet. Each surgery will require 6 weeks of recovery.

[shannondale_dweller3]

I'm in IT and part of my comp package is 5 weeks of leave per year of which I usually take about 1-2 weeks. The problem is not scheduling or having the request rejected as I don't request leave. I schedule my vacations and if my employers don't like it... so sad too bad. My reasoning for not using all 5 weeks is two fold. First being that GG only gets 2 weeks per year so at this time our leave is quite disproportionate. Second, my company allows me to carry 480 hours of leave. I've been there for 2.5 years and have built up 240+ hours. Once I reach 480 I can then take two different approaches as anything over 480 becomes use it or lose it OR they can cut me a check for the overage twice a year. Not to mention that if/when one parts ways with the company that accrued vacation time makes for a very healthy parting gift.....

That is awesome that you can carry over 480 hours & get paid for it if necessary! That's almost unheard of these days and I'm a bit envious! But... I work for the gov't so it's not that bad, I can carry over 240 annual leave, but have the sick time thing. Even in the gov't, I find it hard to get to take leave, and managers hold off until close to the date to approve it (or finally give in to my annoying reminders). I've never had mine pulled back (knock on wood), but have seen plenty of people had their pulled back where I work.

[WVGeo]

I'm thinking that gas prices may keep vacation a bit closer to home for some folks. And unemployment will mean no vacation at all. But for me there's a great deal of satisfaction at being at the end of my career and being eligible to retire. It's irrelevant to me whether leave is approved or not - I'm going. And they are not allowed to call and I'm not checking e-mail.

[Chutney Daftcraft]

I honestly do not know how I would handle it if my boss told me no when I asked for PTO time. That's never happened to me before.

[lar]

I honestly do not know how I would handle it if my boss told me no when I asked for PTO time. That's never happened to me before.

Me either......

[LazerFlash]

I honestly do not know how I would handle it if my boss told me no when I asked for PTO time. That's never happened to me before.In the years I worked in corporate America (not retail or service America), I had an Annual Leave request denied on only one occasion. Unbeknown to me, at the time my ex-wife & I were formulating our plans, a project I was integral to had its scheduled implementation date revised to coincide with our vacation. It did cause a bit of heartburn, but it wasn't anything we couldn't all work around. (I wish that I could say the same about the rescheduled project. :() OTOH, when I worked retail and service (I was a country club bartender for a while), leave was pretty much whenever you could grab it; it rarely was ever a 'planned' thing.