Oh sorry i wasn't sure

Yea we actually love Singapore so it would always be an option a the end of this contract.

I hear you about Hong Kong. I've only visited a couple of times and just found the pace of life and the sheer number of people off putting. Mind you it was a step up from Shenzen. Singapore is supposed to afford an excellent Ex-pat lifestyle - I have friends their doing very nicely thank you. The other nice city in that region is KL, Malaysia. Used to travel regularly there on business and really liked the place & people.

All a bit warmer than March in Canada!

AX,

How long since you were in KL? I hated it compared to Singapore and Bangkok. (In case anyone wishes to make judgements or jump to conclusions I visited all three with the wife).

Errm last visit was in 2004 if my increasingly hazy memory serves. I like the Malaysian people I've met (actually had a small team working for me in KL) and KL whilst a huge city seemed to offer a reasonable lifestyle. Not visited Singapore or Bangkock but as I say have good friends currently living it up in Singapore and loving it.

Ah ok only a year before me.
I REALLY wanted to visit, maybe that was the problem.

KL looked pretty good to me. My longest visit was only three weeks but I certainly go back for longer. Singapore seemed too small and too orderly for me.

Hi
I'm new to the site, and I have been reading this thread with interest.

My partner and I are hoping to move to Canada for a better quality of life. We've thought about it for a long time and we have researched and visited the area that we want to move to (Kingston). I had read that the holiday entitlement in Canada was small compared to the uk and although a lot of you are saying it shouldn't matter - it does.

As I said previoulsy, we want to move for a better quality of life and that includes spending time with family and friends. We both work long hours and we are hoping to move to canada for a new way of life. Obviously, that doesn't mean working all day every day and not seeing any of the Country or spending time with family and friends.

It's not a make or break factor, but it def plays a part. I really don't mind only having 2 weeks paid vacation as long as I can take un paid leave, and I was under the impression that this was possible. However, after reading this site I don't think it is. Does anyone know if taking unpaid leave is possible and if people do actually take it.

Thanks

Yes, and yes. (In Alberta at least).

Oh good - am I glad to hear that! Does anyone know if it's the same in Ontario - pleassssssssse say it is. I need my holidays!

People get hung up on this - vacation is negotiable if you have an employer who wants to secure your skills. Negotiate a better vacation package.

As for banking holidays you can but I understand there are limits depending on province. Here (Calgary) you tend to just do more in the evenings and weekends and don't end up staying in work until late because 'it's expected' like it is in many UK businesses.

Flex-time is popular here too.

In Alberta, because of the labour shortage, employers are looking at more innovative ways of attracting and retaining staff - vacation plans are a key part of that.

Ok, it may be something I have to try and negotiate.

As for taking unpaid leave - I wasn't on about flexi hours that I have accrued. I was just on about taking unpaid leave - regardless of whether I have worked over my hours.

I am familiar with flexible working - I work under flexible working conditions here in the UK and every hour I work over my allotted hours, I get to take off when I like- but what I want to know is if I want to take a week off to go on holiday and I have no paid leave left and I have no banked hours - can I take them and just not get paid for that week

It is not hard to ultimately get the 4 weeks- many people after working 10 years (including all jobs) have that amount but it seems to depend how high up in the company one is- most of the senior managers I know do not take off their full time- a week with the two weekends is the max for many and the cellphones and laptops go with them.

That really depends on the employer. Some we have worked with will provide that usually with words around the policy such as 'with reasonable notice' and 'with prior agreement from your manager'. clearly they will not want you to go if it doesn't suit the bsuiness e.g at very busy times etc.

Extended leave is a different matter but again it's up to the employer. Some will grant it with a guarantee of a job when you get back and some will only say they will try to reinstate you. however I assume your question is around more shorter term breaks rather than two months off to travel to somehwere exotic?

hope this helps

Sorry that was in answer to the previous question....

I don't think you too much to concern yourself with in regard to this ........ if you have the skills and your future employer really wants your services ..like a previous poster has stated there is much room for negotiation. I have neigbours who never seem to be at work .......... Mind you one works for the Provincial Government and the other works for an Automotive Assembly Plant............................................. .....