I've been at this firm since 1987. I started taking holidays in 2005 and have taken one week each year since. That's the most of anybody here and it's the subject of much acrimony even though I check the email twice a day when gone and will act on anything urgent. I think it's common for people not to take holidays as to do so is considered unprofessional. I'm quite bemused by the way Canadians cluck and tut at our English colleagues for their foreign travel, I never bother saying anything but I wonder what they think is wrong with "abroad".

Hi Jrbenny
I'm new to this site (and to "threading" or whatever it's called). I'm Canadian and my OH (other half?) is English. I've been in England 5 years. We're thinking of moving over, but one of my worries is the holidays too. I think it's a legitimate concern. I didn't know what to do with all my days off when I moved here, but now I'm used to them...so they will be missed. But I suppose you need to think of the other benefits of moving there (weather, better STEAK, social climate etc), and weigh up the relative pros & cons. I'd like to know where those folks who get 50 weeks' holiday work!
But I too would be interested to know how British people have coped with it. (Sorry if this is really long, I haven't sussed out the short-cut lingo yet...)

We haven't coped very well with it and found that most of our vacation time is spent visiting family back in the UK. If you don't have close family ties then I guess it's not a problem but we do love travelling and find it stifles us here in Canada. I'd love to be able to travel around North America as it's just on our doorstep but there just isn't enough time. My husband gets 15 days holiday.

Hello uk2toronto,thought it was just me that worried about this.A lot of migrants dont seem to mind 2 weeks off.To me its Dickensian.I'm going to give it a go though.

Hi fishfinger - see, that's what I'm worried about. As a Canadian, coming to England has allowed me the opportunity to do travelling I would have never done had I stayed there.
I suppose if we stay here we give up the opportunity for a nice house (detached!) and good food, and if we move there we give up the holiday days and travelling. Tough choice, no wonder it's taken me years to make up my mind!
Sorry, jrbenny, I don't think I've been any help here

What are your plans jrbenny? Where in Canada are you thinking of moving to?

bowen island bc,all being well sometime soon

I have to agree with you there. Maybe thats just the case in Calgary. I have had three jobs since being here and they have all had 15 days leave or more, plus flexi time.

As others have said this topic seems endless. It seems to come up about every two weeks.

It amuses me that people think that we get less holidays here in Canada.

Please keep in mind that two weeks is the minimum mandated by law add the statutory holidays and you could be up to 21 days depending on which which province you come to.

Apparently is one more day than what is mandated in the UK. See post number 6 in this thread. http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...teve_P+Holiday

So depending upon who you work for in the UK you could come over here and get more holidays or less or the same.

Cheers
Steve

Wow

I think we would struggle big time with that little holiday time, we are from the UK but live in Hong Kong and my husband gets 6 weeks paid leave and there are about 13 stat holidays too.
15 days would be a definate no no as we work to live not live to work and we love to travel.

I guess we'll have to think again

I don't think that is necessarily the norm everywhere though ..... most of my Canadian friends look forward to their annual trips to Mexico and the like.

Perhaps we're more laid back in Cow Town?

If that is a deal breaker for you then the desire to emigrate/immigrate is not very strong.

I'm not sure you have the right or ability to make that assumption or decision Steve.
We all make our own decision about what is important to us and yours views are no more valid than anyone else and neither are your comments.

I disagree as I said before in this thread you have to keep in mind the the 2 weeks everyone is up in arms about is the minimum mandated by law.

You also have to keep in mind how many years it took to reach the length of time that you currently get.

You cannot expect to come to a new country and a new job and start were you left off in your old country at least vacation wise. You may be lucky and do just that but then again you may not. But you have to remember you are starting over.

If you are not prepared to give a little then I repeat the desire is not that strong.

We’ve been in Hong Kong for 2 years and have received the same amount of leave from the start
Perhaps it all depends on your line of work, my husband is a Manger with a large Airline and they reward his expertise with good pay and conditions.

Then you have answered your own questions I guess, if long holidays are important to you, don't go.