cheers

Vacation/Holidays in the US.

If I went to work tomorrow for the US government I would qualify for 4 holidays in the first year. Obviously if I were enlisted in the armed forces the same would be true.

Someone mentioned on another forum that if you worked in the service industries in 90% of the cases you receive no annual holidays ever. Why is that? Are they still classified as slaves? They have the "you are lucky to have a job" attitude.

It must really grind the US corporations when they buy companies in Europe and see the annual holidays they have to give their employees. Like a spoilt child they wont do it so they will close down the company. British employees should be aware of this when they find out they are being bought by the Americans.

I would like to find out how many US companies have closed down their operations in Europe in the last 5 years because it would be interesting.

I hear all the time in the US on the news about helping small business out because they are what drive the economy so you aren't going to change the attitude towards treating the US worker as appreciated people any time soon. Work them until they drop is the attitude.

Maybe that is why Europe wants to be strong so as they can become distance from the US.

Derrygal

Very interesting - it's true - Americans are a nation of workaholics and now with the recession here and high unemployment, everyone is terrified to lose their jobs. I get a whooping 3 weeks vacation a year and I have been with the same company for 11 years - had to wait 10 years to get the extra week!!

dunroving

Looks like you got your font blow-dried and styled, too.

dunroving

I'm not sure if they are really workaholics. I dare say if you offered American workers 4 extra week's paid holiday, most of them would take it.

Derrygal

I'm not sure about that. My youngest daughter told me that her husband never went on vacation as a child -his dad used to take the money from his firm in lieu of vacation time - he preferred it that way. They weren't poor either - he had a well paid job. I don't understand that - life is too short to work all the time. My son-in-law has gone on more vacations since he married my daughter than he ever did when he was younger!!!

cheers

Ask Tony what medications he takes? I take about 14 tablets each day and I also have Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
I pay $55 a month for RX insurance through AARP. I also pay $4 for a months supply of each medication. I could get it cheaper through the mail but it is worse than worse to go that route. My most expensive medication is discounted to $42 per month. So in the end I pay about $127 amonth (I know that the math does check out)

Sounds like you had a great day out. Good on ya!

dunroving

Is your son-in-law American? He doesn't seem very workaholic.

Derrygal

Yes - he is a first generation American - parents were born in Poland and Germany. He works hard, but like my daughter, likes to travel. They don't have any children yet, so they might as well see a little bit of the world before they start a family.

dunroving

I imagine his parents' "workaholic" tendencies may be more to do with being immigrants from eastern Europe than being American, then.

Mummy in the foothills

I think many would, but many are afraid that the boss wouldn't miss them and their job would be first to go when they got back.
Dh has never worked in UK and spends his vacation days catching up on household repairs, he gets 2 weeks a year now and three starting next year (after 6 years of service)
The most vacation I can get Dh on is a long weekend, so we've never really been too far. We went to UK one Christmas but he had to take one unpaid week so we could stay for 2.5 weeks. Crazy!

Derrygal

Could be - I never really thought of that before now.

Giantaxe

I think the US is simply a more materialistic society. Many would rather have the extra $$$ to spend on consumer goods than time off to travel. I've seen this many times with quite well off co-workers.

Fish n Chips 56

Wal mart bought Asda many years ago, about 5-6 years ago W/M were trying to screw the employees poorly in some way, job cuts, pay cuts, Benefits cuts etc, I cant remember the exact details, wish I could, but anyway the asda truck drivers threatened to strike right as the world cup finals were on and Walmart backed down, you see they operate with very little back room stock so everything comes to the store fresh, just in time for sale.

They will do anything to nickel and dime a supplier and or employee, they like to control everything.

Fish n Chips 56

I totally agree with you dunroving, its a bad situation, no wonder workers get burned out and go postal.

Derrygal

Seems quite expensive, but then you are in London. I'm sure other areas of the UK are a little cheaper. A lot of salons here charge according to the stylist/colorist's experience. I've never heard of the skin test before - that's a new one, but then I haven't had my hair colored in the UK for over 20 years - I had a lot less grey then!!!!