Bob

Depends on the state, there is zero federal requirement to holiday or sick leave.

Some places also include sick leave in the holiday allowance which may also include public holidays and that would be your worse case scenario if you got any at all from day one.

Bob

Though that's only if they offer it for spouses/family.

Many places restrict that to people working x hours/x seniority/x number of years service at the company.

It is something that the OP needs to figure out before moving to the US though. Certainly don't want a gap in medical insurance of more than 62 days that is for sure.

Bob

Depends on the job. You're certainly not talking about retail/food industry, where the standard is zero going on upwards.

On the unpaid leave, might find your desk cleared and you're sacked on the Monday for trying it.

markwm

People have done it (to add a few days to a vacation) where I am without a problem. As you say, depends on the company.

Pulaski

There was another thread on the subject recently where the consensus (there were no dissenters) was that employers who provided health insurance invariably did so for families (dependants) of the employee. While you may be correct in some cases, I sincerely doubt your assertion that it is "many" places, though it has become well known thanks to Obamacare, that it is commonplace, and legally permissible, to not offer health insurance to those working 30 hours or less.

Bob

Okay, I should say I know many places here, where I am and where I have been, that this is the case.

Where the missus is, old contracted employees are entitled to benefits when working 20 hours, but for the last couple of years, benefits are only offered to part timers working 30 hours a week and they only offer family cover to those who are full time, working a average 40 hour week.

Quite a few companies in the area also only offer family cover as part of the benefits package if the person is at x position or above, or has been with the company for a qualifying period such as a year, where they can only get personal coverage for themselves after their probationary 90 days. It's one way many companies here, where I am at least save money on medical insurance while still being able to offer decent insurance to those who have it as they rely on people not sticking around for very long - medical research/programmers etc. The under 5 year old start ups for the most part, but that's a large chunk of the employment sector in some fields.

Pulaski

Very interesting. It sounds like employers are, as was entirely predictable, following the launch of Obamacare, retreating from providing healthcare from any situation where the law does not require it.

Bob

Can't blame Obamacare on this one, this has been happening for years.

Beaverstate

Dissenter here, My employer only offers coverage to the employee.

kins

I get 23 days a year holiday plus 8 federal holidays and it's going up to 28 days next year. So that's how I cope...

My husband started on 20 days holiday plus federal holidays and is not on 25 days, but his company really doesn't track what holiday he takes all that carefully.

Ash UK/US

I get 3 weeks but my company also offers 'vacation by up' in addition the vacation I already have I can have a deduction taken from my pay then take extra vacation days and use the money from the deduction to pay myself for the extra days. I have never done this but I know people I work with use it.

Brownsugarccf

Thanks everyone, I know I have a lot to think about but as he's in a senior management role for a good company and has good service (and a daughter), It will be me making the move to have a better quality of life than i can give him in the UK as it stands. If it doesn't work out 5/10 years down the line then maybe we can look at coming to the UK. He is based in Perrysberg and looking on the 75 there seems to be many big/reputable companies and I can only hope I won't struggle to find something in terms of employment but the other option I may look it is to study but still on the K1 route to get a recognised qualification of some sort. Need to research that though as work is the ideal. The perception from the UK is that the US is great and good for opportunities and i've a friend currently working in Texas who seems to love it despite the holidays. I guess this is what we need to do to be with our other halves. Scary though!!