Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My last union job had 1 week the first year,2 weeks the 2nd, 3 weeks after 8 years, and 4 weeks after 16 years.
We tried to negotiate for 5 weeks after 20 years,but management said "no"
They said------" if we can get by w/o an employee for more than 4 weeks,we can get by w/o him for 52 weeks and thus don't need him"
Also, as I stated in a different thread, we had too many workers who had 3 weeks coming and the boss had to constantly hassle them to finally use it.
So I'm half American half Danish, I hold 2 passports, but I'm planning on moving back to the States for job reason soon. When I was 15 I moved to Denmark and have remained there into my early 20's. The area I want to work in (advertisement/marketing/PR) is limited in Denmark and I have some job opportunities set up back in the US.
But one thing terrible I've learned about America is that the majority of Americans get just a paltry 2 weeks off!!! In Denmark, by law, it is required that all citizens receive 5-6 weeks paid vacation (4 weeks off by the law in the EU). The law is so that workers are insured quality of time with their family and that companies are not exploiting the hell out of them, as well as making sure the whole rat race mentality doesn't allow that bc one person takes vacation and another doesn't, they should loose their job.
People have been telling me that in the US it's looked down upon to take vacation and you're considered "lazy" by doing so. I still can't grasp the idea of just 2 weeks...it seems so little, what are you supposed to do with that?
The thing is, travel has ALWAYS been my passion. I love visiting new cultures and exploring the world. By just 2 weeks I can't do any of that...and it's depressing to me that the whole of EU gets so much time off and to enjoy life but in America everyone is a slave to the corporation.
So my question is, how true is this point? Are there major companies that are more generous? Or is 2 weeks the rule? Is there no other alternative? What about UNpaid time off, can an employee ask for such thing?
This is a major deterrent for wanting to move back to the US, my quality of life is vital!
-----"my quality of life is vital"-----
kinda comical when that is posted by a person w/o a job
As previously mentioned, there are no "laws" that mandate vacation time. I would say the rule of thumb is two weeks for an exempt position. You get more the longer you work at the company. However, its also very easy to negotiate longer vacations as your position level increases.
As for actually taking them - it really depends on where you work I guess. Some places, you can accumulate 6 weeks of vacation and take them all at once and no one will care. But at other places, it may be frowned upon if you're out more than 3 days. I think this also really depends on the type of position, and how well you manage your responsibilities.
There's also comp time (exempt only). Which is very popular in the IT sector (and I guess other areas where 24/7 support is expected). I've had engineers that had to do work off-hours, and they'd get a day or two off in exchange.
I have unlimited vacation (within reason) but last year I used about 6 weeks total and this year I am on pace for 7 (plus a month for paternity leave). It definitely varies and yes there are some companies that give vacation but don't make you feel comfortable using them (been there done that).
Sorry, but this is pretty much the case in the US...
Most companies I know offer a standard 2 weeks until you have been employed a certain number of years, some 5, some 10 etc. A high level manager may often get 4, but generally, probably the most common allotment is 2 weeks.
By the way, I'm with you. I don't think 2-3 weeks is long enough, but what are you going to do? I'm not prepared to exit the US over it.
It all depends on the company. Two weeks is pretty standard from my experience. Although in the past I have been offered only 1.
Most places will up it to 3 weeks after 5 years. My current job does but it does not go to 4 until 15 years.
Keep in mind you should take into account company holidays. I get the week off between christmas and new years. Plus 2 more for easter, thanksgiving, and then the usual memorial and labor day.
Some places have nothing for easter, and you may end up working the day after thanksgiving, or up to christmas eve, and the days leading up to new years day.
It is always negotiable. Keep in mind your years of experience. At 10 to 15 years you should get 3 weeks to start. Sometimes you have to play hardball to get it though. It sucks starting over. I have been close to 5 years and started over
I think the EU laws/mandates should stay there. Sure, it'd be nice to have 4+ weeks of vacation - but the Government has no business telling employers what to do, IMO.
I've never worked for a company that offered more than 3 weeks after some tenure.
Most people I know with corporate jobs get 15 - 20 days PTO to use as they see fit.
Some companies split sick days and vacation days. Some make it one big pile.
And some people I know have no paid vacation whatsoever...in fact, lots of people I know, myself included. You take off, you make no money...but it's up to you then.
The area I want to work in (advertisement/marketing/PR) is limited in Denmark and I have some job opportunities set up back in the US.
From what I remember, most of the top advertising and PR firms in places like NYC typically offered 4 weeks of leave, which is a combination of vacation and sick days.
So if you are young, healthy, and don't have children, it's like having 4 weeks of vacation. However, if you have health problems or need to take time off frequently because of childcare issues, you might not have much vacation at all.
Typically, if you need unpaid leave for serious health issues, they will let you do it. In better times, some of the companies were pretty liberal in letting employees take unpaid leave for sabbaticals (trips, writing a book, etc.) for their better and more valued employees, but in these times I wouldn't expect it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Sorry, but this is pretty much the case in the US...
I'm not prepared to exit the US over it.
