Except in the US, where everyone works - if only to check their texts and emails. Ski lift lines, beach refreshment stands, athletic events, it's 24/7 baby. And those arent even the ones in their offices.
Masochism? Congenital idiocy? What else could explain Americans inability or unwillingness to win more vacation time for themselves?
It could be the desire and insecurity that drove their ancestors to cross oceans, vast wildernesses and howling adversaries to find The Promised Land. Or it could be the power of business lobbies that has driven those supportive of employees' rights into hiding. It would be easy to blame the financial crisis and recession, but this trait was evident well before they happened. True, it may have exacerbated the problem, but Americans have been infamously overworked for decades, generations.
It used to be a point of pride: those who worked so hard were also the world's wealthiest. But with incomes stagnant for almost 30 years, intractable unemployment and little prospect of investment or job gains, that no longer appears to be the case.
US labor law does not require days off. And with so many Americans forced to work part time or temporary jobs, their influence has diminished even further.
The question is whether this still makes sense. Forget fairness, no one in power wants to hear that. And yes, for anyone dissatisfied, there are probably several applicants happy to take on the same task at even less favorable terms. But for those concerned about productivity, commitment and effectiveness the US may be setting itself up for an unpleasant challenge if this approach to human resource management doesnt change. JL
Steven Mazie comments in Big Think:
For most Americans, Christmas week represents about half of the time off we will enjoy all year long. Compared with Australians (at least 4 weeks off, plus 10 public holidays), Brazilians (22 days of paid leave with a 33 percent salary vacation bonus) and the French (at least 5 weeks off and as many as 9 for many public employees), we are seriously bereft. Look at how the United States stacks up against the rest of the developed world in number of mandatory days off each year: goose egg.
Yes, the United States is the only OECD country that does not require employers to provide even a day of paid leave to its employees. As the Department of Labor states matter-of-factly, “The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations, sick leave or federal or other holidays. These benefits are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).”
Ah, to live and work in the world’s only superpower.
Does it have to be this way?
A few months ago, Robert Reich put forward a modest proposal that Congress should mandate a minimum of three weeks of vacation for every American worker:
Most Americans only get two weeks off right now. But many don't even take the full two weeks out of fear of losing their jobs. One in four gets no paid vacation at all, not even holidays. Overall, Americans have less vacation time than workers in any other advanced economy.
This is absurd. A mandatory three weeks off would be good for everyone — including employers. Studies show workers who take time off are more productive after their batteries are recharged. They have higher morale, and are less likely to mentally check out on the job.
This means more output per worker — enough to compensate employers for the cost of hiring additional workers to cover for everyone's three weeks' vacation time.
With the fiscal cliff approaching and austerity on the horizon for the foreseeable future, vacation guarantees are not likely to appear on any lawmaker’s agenda of top priorities any time soon.
Happy holidays, everyone!
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