Paid vacation? U.S. workers have no guarantees

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And this takes us back to the psychotic fear of government 'interference' with business, which I already mentioned. The US is excellent at passing political hot potatos to the states, who in turn do what their constituents expect them to do which is why a lot of workplace-related legislation varies from state to state. What might fly in Mississippi may cause a strike in Michigan. Sure, it'd be nice to have uniform standards but I think we need to be realistic. Not excusing, just explaining.

I think that’s right – things like the minimum wage vary greatly from state to state. Ironic, given the other thread about NJ/NY having the highest levels of taxation (and the highest cost of living) that it also has a far far lower minimum wage than California.

Like it or not this is one of the things that result from a free-market economy with next to no regulatory controls. It wouldn’t kill companies to give employees a decent vacation allowance – just goes to show, the more they’re given by law – the more they take.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And this takes us back to the psychotic fear of government 'interference' with business, which I already mentioned. The US is excellent at passing political hot potatos to the states, who in turn do what their constituents expect them to do which is why a lot of workplace-related legislation varies from state to state. What might fly in Mississippi may cause a strike in Michigan. Sure, it'd be nice to have uniform standards but I think we need to be realistic. Not excusing, just explaining.

I think that’s right – things like the minimum wage vary greatly from state to state.

That's what I was referring to earlier: A federal minimum standard that the states are free to expand as they see fit. It exists in the minimum wage but there's no such universal minimum standard for paid leave.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That, of course, assumes that Americans know a lot about their own country and all it's complexities. Which we all know not to be the case either. Try and have Americans pass the USCIS citizenship test.

I wouldn't have any trouble. I paid attention in school.

America is proud of you!

[homesick_american 1]

That, of course, assumes that Americans know a lot about their own country and all it's complexities. Which we all know not to be the case either. Try and have Americans pass the USCIS citizenship test.

I wouldn't have any trouble. I paid attention in school.

America is proud of you!

YAY! Do I get a cookie?

[Niels Bohr 72]

Americans are always complaining. Complaining about the weather, their computer, their neighbors (me), and employers. I just think it's stupid to take government for granted. We're lucky to have a semi-free economy.

[homesick_american 1]

That's what I was referring to earlier: A federal minimum standard that the states are free to expand as they see fit. It exists in the minimum wage but there's no such universal minimum standard for paid leave.

I would love to see a federal minimum standard for paid leave...I think it's overdue and necessary to protect the work/life balance. I'm not a rabid states-righter who is terrified of federal interference; in fact I think running the USA would be a lot easier if things were a bit more centralized and standardized.

[brnidokiegurl 1]

I think we get like 3 hr sick and annual given for each 40 hours of work, it will accumulate over time and you continue to add when actually off on that vacation as along as it is authorized time away plus the normal state and federal holidays I prob have about 150 vacation now and 80+ sick saving annual for next trip to Morocco 3-4 weeks this time.

[Geist 0]

Workers in Finland had one of the best annual leave packages among developed countries, a study by the center found. Finnish workers received 30 days of paid vacation plus another nine paid holidays.

Yay! As we all know, any study would not be complete unless Finland placed number one. They're number one in Education (Pisa study!), number one in vacation, number one in this, number one in that, they're even number one in honesty, and number one in the least corrupt country in the world!

I really think they're bribing whoever makes these studies.

As for Americans not having as much vacation, I came in here to post the subtitle: stfu and gbtw.

If you don't like the amount of vacation your company gives you, find a different company. You don't HAVE to work there, you know. And most company's mission statement does not involve hiring a bunch of people so they can pay them not to work. This is why all the countries that have a lot of vacation hours, have it because there's a law saying they have to.

But there's a reason why unemployment is so much higher over there: if the costs of hiring a worker are higher than the benefits of having a worker, you're not going to hire that worker.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If you don't like the amount of vacation your company gives you, find a different company. You don't HAVE to work there, you know. And most company's mission statement does not involve hiring a bunch of people so they can pay them not to work. This is why all the countries that have a lot of vacation hours, have it because there's a law saying they have to.

Funny that this always seems to be the predictable reaction whenever we compare and (dare I say it) criticize employee benefits across national lines. It's the same thing with healthcare - whenever companies are given leeway give people the absolute bare minimum, they invariably do so. It doesn't matter what company you work for (unless you are spectacularly successful) if the overall level of health / vacation and other benefits are generally lower than those of other industrialized countries. Granted that the OP article is referring to a general national trend - I'm not sure how that can be disputed.

Edited May 17, 2007 by erekose

[Fandango 1,440]

I don't get any paid time off as I'm self-employed But at the same time, I can conduct business anywhere with a computer, fax and phone.

So I guess it evens out...or I'll just tell myself that, lol

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And most company's mission statement does not involve hiring a bunch of people so they can pay them not to work.

Thank you for sharing this pre-Manchester point of view. In today's post-Manchester world, however, it is worth noting that the most successful companies are those that treat their employees like the human beings that they are. Which is why many companies make the "being a great place to work" part of their mission statement. For some companies, it's plain lipservice, though.

Edited May 17, 2007 by ET-US2004

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

And most company's mission statement does not involve hiring a bunch of people so they can pay them not to work.

Thank you for sharing this pre-Manchester point of view. In today's post-Manchester world, however, it is worth noting that the most successful companies are those that treat their employees like the human beings that they are. Which is why many companies make the "being a great place to work" part of their mission statement. For some companies, it's plain lipservice, though.

Indeed - and questions of "personal responsibility" aside, is it really inaccurate to suggest that US employees get less time off, less pay and less benefits than equivalent workers in other developed countries?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And most company's mission statement does not involve hiring a bunch of people so they can pay them not to work.

Thank you for sharing this pre-Manchester point of view. In today's post-Manchester world, however, it is worth noting that the most successful companies are those that treat their employees like the human beings that they are. Which is why many companies make the "being a great place to work" part of their mission statement. For some companies, it's plain lipservice, though.

Indeed - and questions of "personal responsibility" aside, is it really inaccurate to suggest that US employees get less time off, less pay and less benefits than equivalent workers in other developed countries?

That depends on where in the foodchain you are. I think there's a big number of US employees that do a lot better than their comparable European counterparts. I know that I do much better here than I would in Germany. Much better.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That depends on where in the foodchain you are. I think there's a big number of US employees that do a lot better than their comparable European counterparts. I know that I do much better here than I would in Germany. Much better.

Well it stands to reason that you get rewarded for success - but I'm sceptical whether the philosophy of not granting decent benefits to lower level workers really inspires people to greater success. It would not be inaccurate to suggest that there are fewer positions available senior levels and obviously greater competition.

These days it seems to you have hold down a f/t job AND run your own business to get ahead financially.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That depends on where in the foodchain you are. I think there's a big number of US employees that do a lot better than their comparable European counterparts. I know that I do much better here than I would in Germany. Much better.

Well it stands to reason that you get rewarded for success - but I'm sceptical whether the philosophy of not granting decent benefits to lower level workers really inspires people to greater success.

Probably not.