Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
#16
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
My situation is getting worse in that I'm now being forced to use 20% of my vacation allowance for the week between Christmas and New Year. Unsurprisingly, the US is the only country that this legally flies in; no international employee is affected. They did "recompense" us by adding two public holidays, but of course those are also days when people might not necessarily want to take vacation.
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 16
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
Speaking from having lived here for 30+ years, it's one thing to accrue the vacation time, it's another to actually be able to use it. Don't be surprised if your boss denies your request for a couple of weeks off and then suggests that you could perhaps take a day here and there to have a few three day or four day weekends. Taking multiple weeks off in the US just isn't something most Americans do.
The current place I work was purchased by a Canadian company about 18 months ago and they had absolutely no qualms about approving my three week holiday which I took last month and went over to Europe to see mum and dad.
Oh and don't forget now many companies are switching to "unlimited vacation" policies which basically means you don't get any. And of course they don't have to pay this out when you leave the company. Win win for them and a loss for the employee.
But hey, at least we all have our Freedom in America right???
The current place I work was purchased by a Canadian company about 18 months ago and they had absolutely no qualms about approving my three week holiday which I took last month and went over to Europe to see mum and dad.
Oh and don't forget now many companies are switching to "unlimited vacation" policies which basically means you don't get any. And of course they don't have to pay this out when you leave the company. Win win for them and a loss for the employee.
But hey, at least we all have our Freedom in America right???
#18
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
In tech in hotspot areas like NYC "unlimited" PTO is becoming the norm. Usually that means in practice you can take around four weeks a year, plus occasional sick days. Also, my company is very flexible about working from home, so a lot of times folks will WFH when they're not feeling well enough to come into the office, but well enough to work. Basically so long as you're doing the job and don't take the piss, they're fine.
#19
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
Speaking from having lived here for 30+ years, it's one thing to accrue the vacation time, it's another to actually be able to use it. Don't be surprised if your boss denies your request for a couple of weeks off and then suggests that you could perhaps take a day here and there to have a few three day or four day weekends. Taking multiple weeks off in the US just isn't something most Americans do.
New hires accrue at 5 days a year, starting after the 90 day probationary period when benefits kick in, which covers the training and licensing needed.
#20
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Joined: Jul 2010
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,933
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
Speaking from having lived here for 30+ years, it's one thing to accrue the vacation time, it's another to actually be able to use it. Don't be surprised if your boss denies your request for a couple of weeks off and then suggests that you could perhaps take a day here and there to have a few three day or four day weekends. Taking multiple weeks off in the US just isn't something most Americans do.
The current place I work was purchased by a Canadian company about 18 months ago and they had absolutely no qualms about approving my three week holiday which I took last month and went over to Europe to see mum and dad.
Oh and don't forget now many companies are switching to "unlimited vacation" policies which basically means you don't get any. And of course they don't have to pay this out when you leave the company. Win win for them and a loss for the employee.
But hey, at least we all have our Freedom in America right???
The current place I work was purchased by a Canadian company about 18 months ago and they had absolutely no qualms about approving my three week holiday which I took last month and went over to Europe to see mum and dad.
Oh and don't forget now many companies are switching to "unlimited vacation" policies which basically means you don't get any. And of course they don't have to pay this out when you leave the company. Win win for them and a loss for the employee.
But hey, at least we all have our Freedom in America right???
#21
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
I took 3 weeks off last year to visit family in the UK. I have family (and friends) in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England so that's why I took so much. My manager (reluctantly) approved it. However, when I got back, most of my co-workers didn't even as me if I had a nice time. In fact, some of them refused to speak to me! I got the cold shoulder. Yes - it's really wonderful here in the "land of the free and the home of the brave"!!!
#22
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Joined: Jul 2010
Location: North East Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,933
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
???? I'm unsure what you meant by that! It's got nothing to do with jealousy! It's the culture here - as others have mentioned. Most American companies prefer that their employees take their vacation in "dribs and drabs" days off here and there. They balk at the idea of someone taking 3 weeks at one time. This is the culture here - I never mentioned the word "jealousy". They were annoyed that I took such a big block of time (which I had earned). I don't have an important job, but the work I do is "time sensitive" so it has to get done when I'm gone so I guess the others had to work a bit harder! I don't see what the big deal is if I want to take 3 weeks and visit my family. I only go back every 3rd year and I have earned the vacation time! I work extremely hard here!!
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
My situation is getting worse in that I'm now being forced to use 20% of my vacation allowance for the week between Christmas and New Year. Unsurprisingly, the US is the only country that this legally flies in; no international employee is affected. They did "recompense" us by adding two public holidays, but of course those are also days when people might not necessarily want to take vacation.
#24
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
???? I'm unsure what you meant by that! It's got nothing to do with jealousy! It's the culture here - as others have mentioned. Most American companies prefer that their employees take their vacation in "dribs and drabs" days off here and there. They balk at the idea of someone taking 3 weeks at one time. This is the culture here ....
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 6th 2016 at 8:19 pm.
#25
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Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
55% of American workers don’t take all their paid vacation - MarketWatch
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 10,009
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
My own experience with American companies has been that most try to get employees to take vacation days as opposed to week(s).
#27
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
all too common across America, but far from universally true, ..
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 6th 2016 at 8:21 pm.
#28
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
My experience (in high tech) is that those that do take a large block are usually those that have family abroad.
Last edited by Giantaxe; Oct 6th 2016 at 8:32 pm.
#29
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
You complained they didn't ask about your 3 week vacation and you were upset/offended, whatever. I responded jealousy. Plus resentment. You did something that they had never done or perhaps thought they couldn't do if they wanted to.
Other than asking a colleague if they enjoyed their vacation, I don't ask anything further. Only do that with friends and colleagues are not friends.
When I worked, the last 20 years of my career afforded me 4 weeks vacation and 12 sick/personal days. I would travel for 2 week blocks at a time and my workload had to be carried by fellow co-workers. Never had a need or desire to take 3 or 4 weeks at one time.
BTW not all US companies what their employees to take vacation in dribs and drabs. It depends I'm sure on the industry and type of employment you have. I certainly never had an issue. My sister who worked in the pharma industry didn't have problems with taking 2 weeks off at a time. Those were our experiences. I'm sure it is not the same everywhere.
Isn't right to generalize your experience as the whole of the US.
Other than asking a colleague if they enjoyed their vacation, I don't ask anything further. Only do that with friends and colleagues are not friends.
When I worked, the last 20 years of my career afforded me 4 weeks vacation and 12 sick/personal days. I would travel for 2 week blocks at a time and my workload had to be carried by fellow co-workers. Never had a need or desire to take 3 or 4 weeks at one time.
BTW not all US companies what their employees to take vacation in dribs and drabs. It depends I'm sure on the industry and type of employment you have. I certainly never had an issue. My sister who worked in the pharma industry didn't have problems with taking 2 weeks off at a time. Those were our experiences. I'm sure it is not the same everywhere.
Isn't right to generalize your experience as the whole of the US.
Last edited by Rete; Oct 6th 2016 at 9:08 pm.
#30
Re: Workplace vacation allowance -- is the situation improving?
When 55% of employees don't use all of their already paltry allowance, I'd say it's a relatively fair generalization:
55% of American workers don’t take all their paid vacation - MarketWatch
55% of American workers don’t take all their paid vacation - MarketWatch
I was fortunate that I never wanted to take all four weeks of my vacation in one year. But I was paid for any of the 6 weeks and 2 days that I didn't use come February 1st of the following year. That paid for the next trip to Europe or two weeks at Seneca Lake.