N1cky

but counter that by spending most of your time in London pubs and eating British curry

MarylandNed

In my first job, I started off with only 2 weeks (10 days) a year. That sucked.

There are things you can do like take 4 days off during a week that has a holiday. When you consider the 2 weekends on either side, you can have 9 straight days off by using only 4 days vacation. Do this again and it can feel like you really have had 2 very long breaks.

You can also create weekends long enough to do something worthwhile by taking 1 or 2 days off adjacent to a weekend. Again consider doing this during a holiday weekend. This way you can have multiple smaller "vacations" throughout the year.

The other thing I used to do was offer to work weekends during busy periods so that I could take time off in lieu later. Your employer would have to agree to this though.

Jerseygirl

It seems you have adopted the US way regarding holidays...ie long weekends. To most Brits and Europeans 9 days is not a long break...3 weeks is.

MarylandNed

Not at all. I was simply stating how I adjusted to a crappy vacation allowance which is what the OP was asking.

When my employer let me work weekends to build up extra leave, I was able to take longer breaks. Not every employer will allow that but the nature of my work did allow for it.

I now get 5 weeks (25 days) paid leave and I take up the option to purchase another 5 days off for a total of 30 days leave (this is in addition to the regular holidays).

N1cky

We had 3 weeks off work last year to go back to England and sort visas out. My hubbys boss sent an email out saying 'while Oscar is on sabatical...'

Jerseygirl

My husband says taking more than 5 days off is frowned upon. He finds that most don't even take their full quota of holidays for the year. If you take 2 or more weeks you're lucky if you have a job to come back to.

Moonshadow_Girl

As a (10 year) employee of a government organization, I receive 15 days sick leave a year, 12 1/2 days of holiday a year, and -currently- 20 days of vacation a year.

When I first began, I only received 10 days of vacation a year for the first three years. Vacation days increase each year culminating with 25 days total for employees with 15+ years. Vacation days can be rolled over to the following year(s), but only a max of 50 days can be on our books at any one time. Unlimited sick days can be accrued throughout my career and later redeemed for time credits when I retire. (In some cases, some Units have bargained for the right to cash out some of their vacation days for cash each year.)

N1cky

Totally agree with this, I'm lucky and as long as I take vacations around work I can have a couple of weeks, last year was definately an exception.

Hubby still works while we are on vacation, email contact at all times

MarylandNed

That depends on the employer. I have many coworkers who have taken 2 or 3 weeks off at a time without any problem.

Scott33

I have been working 2 x per diem jobs for about 4 years so take all the time I can afford. When I was full time, I worked 3x12 hour shifts per week, with 4 weeks per year holiday. However, if you were canny with your scheduling, you could easily nip down to the Islands for a week without dipping into your vacation hours. Some of my FT co workers have about 8 weeks in the bank.

Tblake1

Employers have different rules. Everyone I worked for since moving here in 94 offered four weeks leave. Plus, I never got the urge to get away like I used to in the UK. Too much to see and do at weekends, and the weather (summers at least just about everywhere) guarantee sunshine even in the NW. I think people generally enjoy their work here more as well. Just my opinion of course

Imnothavinit

7 weeks, 12 sick days, 2 personal days and unlimited time off available without pay.

Michael

The following is a list of companies in the Silicon Valley with the vacation and benefits offered.

http://www.riverbed.com/docs/Article...acestoWork.pdf

jenninedinburgh

Sounds great

jenninedinburgh