How much vacation do you take?

[Pinot's Mom]

That table may be a bit skewed. In general, as far as I know, many American companies START with two weeks (10 days) vacation and 3 personal days. It is true many people leave some on the table; I am not one of them.

I am, at this point, middle management. I get 4 weeks vacation, three personal days and usually 3-4 floating holidays. As far as sick time, mine is unlimited, so it's not a matter of taking/leaving. If you're sick, if you have surgery, you stay home. I also use one day every 7-8 weeks for my IV treatments, which is paid.

As far as leaving vacation on the table: so many American companies, my own included, are cut so close to the bone as far as personnel, you can't take off because there is just too much to do and no one to cover. It's a sad result of a combination of the economy and some very badly run companies, IMO.

[Edwina's Secretary]

That table may be a bit skewed. In general, as far as I know, many American companies START with two weeks (10 days) vacation and 3 personal days.

Not exactly. There is no law in the United States requiring employers to offer paid (or unpaid!) vacation or holidays.

In fact, one in four workers in the private sector (non-government) gets no paid time off. No, none.

Those folks frying your burger at McDonald's, serving your meal at the local diner, ringing up your sale at Walmart most likely get no paid vacation. (That does not mean they cannot take time off - just not paid for it.) And probably no paid holidays as well.

Most medium to large employers do offer vacation - one or two weeks to start - but often that cannot be taken until the second year.

And people not taking vacation is a problem for many employers. It must be carried on the books as a liability. Some states (California is one) do not allow "use it or lose it" vacation policies. But only a handful of states. Many employees stockpile vacation - where they can - or are afraid to take it for fear of annoying the boss. Taking two weeks at as stretch has become very rare.

The basic holidays are eight per year (New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After, Christmas Day.) There is no law requiring an employer to give any of these days off - with or without pay. NOr to pay you extra if you work them.

So if your employer gives you paid vacation, paid holidays, paid sick time...be sure and thank them. They do it because they want to - not because they have to!

[Scooter's Mom]

My DH gets PTO (like Taz_Zoee). They get 15 days a year - it can be sick days, vacation days, whatever. My office is way better. I've been there 9 years and I'm at the highest vacation "rank" which is 192 hours (24 days)... plus every pay period you earn 1.34 hours of sick time. The sick time is not much at all... but the vacation time makes up for it.

[momcat]

After 30 years at my job, I now have 25 vacation days. Since I hate to travel, I take extended weekends when I feel I need the time off and catch up with stuff at home.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm actually on vacation right now. Since the 4th of July fell on a Wed. and we also became very slow at work, I decided to take Thurs. & Fri. off too. I also decided to take the whole next week off. I don't travel either so it's just a staycation. Now I can stay home and enjoy my 3 new kittens and other cats. It's going to be hard going back to work on Monday.