Family vacations
I admit I’m lucky — my academic work gives me a lot of flexibility and, especially in the summer, I can take a lot of time off to spend with my family. My husband is not as free but still he spent 2 weeks with us in the mountains. This is absolutely normal in Italy. Depending on family income the destination may vary but 2 or 3 weeks of holiday in August is definitely not a luxury.
Spending so much time with my children is physically draining but extremely emotionally rewarding. We somehow get to know each other better and enjoy new experiences together. Every night now my husband tells me how his relationship with our moody and recently-mother-needy daughter improves by the day as he gets to spend more time with her.
So when I read this article on Babble I was pretty shocked — I knew that European workers were kind of lucky in terms of paid vacations but I had no idea that most American workers have about one week of holiday a year.
I think this corporate culture is depriving workers and their families of some basic rights. But maybe it’s just my European upbringing that has lead me to take for granted a few things.
Still I totally believe that happier and more rested workers are in the end more productive. (I wonder if any of my fellow economists have done any empirical studies on this.)
But maybe who knows, the new administration seems to have families and children in high regard….
-Michela
LEAVE A COMMENT
8 COMMENTS - Add your own
This is seriously the reason why we will probably never leave Europe. I can’t imagine my husband not getting as much holiday as he currently gets. I love the European ‘work to live’ mentality versus the ‘live to work’ one.
xoxo
The American way is simply too depressing. Barely see my US family because of this ridiculous way of life.
Even if you don’t have a family holidays are so important. As you say, rested workers are better workers. In the creative industry I work (animation) people burn out and simply don’t have good ideas if they are not able to take a break and recharge.
I am American and live in America. The work schedule is grueling for many but mainly because Americans live on credit and covet lots of material “things”. People choose this lifestyle. No one is chained to a desk but you will not find Americans leaving work at 5:00 to go home to family. They choose to work late because they like the recognition and accolades that come with being visible at work. Their professional life is their personal culture. I worked in corporate for 18 years and understand that culture well. Also, the government (Obama) has nothing to do with it. Vacation time is not a protected benefit or mandated by government. And all Presidents for the last 4 Administrations were strong family men. I believe we Americans should TAKE more time off, but most don’t by choice. Most value accumulating Things, more possessions and expensive houses vs. relationships. Sorry to rain on your idealism. My father used to say, “Its not the high cost of living, but the cost of living high.” There is much wisdom in that quote.
The sad fact is many American don’t even have a week’s paid vacation. My husband and I are fortunate. He technically has “unlimited” vacation, obviously it has to be reasonable, and gets 6 wks paid sabbatical for every 4 yrs of service. I get 3 wks paid vacation. However, as a part-time attorney, there is a lot of slippage in that. In general, we tend to take about 3 wks vacation each year.
To add, I don’t think it is so much a corporate culture thing than it is an American culture thing. Maybe the two are the same side of the coin, I don’t know. Even when on vacation we, Americans, tend to work. My husband and I never go on vacation without a lap top and our blackberries, sad but true. We have been to a few places where we couldn’t get internet and it is strangely liberating and hyper-ventilating at the same time.
This article made me really appreciate my husband! We are Americans, but he chose a career that provides two very important things- good health insurance and lots of vacation time- around 5 weeks per year. The trade off is that he isn’t paid much, but working within our budget we own a home, and I’m even able to stay home with our kids.
I really wish that more Americans would stand up for themselves… work their 40 hours (no more) and take every minute of vacation they have. And if it’s only 1 week of vacation, demand more if it won’t risk your job to do so!
I have to disagree somewhat with the perception that Americans are all work work work and no play. It is true that there is no government regulation or intervention…..so a company could provide anywhere from 1-5 weeks of paid leave per year. I know there are a lot of people who would like to be able to take more leave, but can’t afford it or don’t have it. And then there are those who don’t feel that they can take it. I don’t think this has so much to do with material wants as it does with fear of losing jobs. Particularly in the current economic climate. Though, obviously, we as a country are spending well beyond our means (on a personal and government level).