Most Americans have 10-14 days of vacation, most of which are used for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
As a freelance writer, I can’t even imagine what this is like. I have the freedom of working remotely, so vacation days don’t apply to me (you might think it’s amazing but there are many disadvantages, like paying my own health insurance, no 401K, no Christmas office parties).
Due to the fact American’s have little vacation time compared to most other countries, it leads to the reason why 36 percent of Americans have passports.
America is actually the top country with the least paid vacation days for employees (Tokyo is next, then Canada).
How can you not want this?? Chilling at the pool in front of the famous Los Arcos at ME Cabo.
To see how little 10-14 days of vacation is, these are the ten countries with the most vacation days.
10. Luxembourg – 35 total days. 25 paid leave days + 10 public holidays
9. United Kingdom – 36 total days. 28 paid leave days + 8 public holidays
8. Spain – 36 total days. 22 paid leave days + 14 public holidays
7. Norway – 37 total days. 25 paid leave days + 2 for religious practice + 10 public holidays
6. Sweden – 38 total days. 25 paid leave days + 13 public holidays
5. Austria – 38 total days. 25 paid leave days + 13 public holidays
3. Iceland – 38 total days. 24 paid leave days + 14 public holidays
3. Malta – 38 total days. 24 paid leave days + 14 public holidays
2. France – 41 total days. 30 paid leave days + 11 public holidays
1. Brazil – 41 total days. 30 paid leave days + 11 public holidays
According to Market Watch, more than half of Americans do not use all their vacation days, which I can’t wrap my head around. These are paid vacation days. It just seems logical to travel. If not travel, just chill out at home or go fishing or whatever.
To be exact, according to Project Time Off, 658 million vacation days go unused in a year, and the main reason is because of fear. Employees fear they will get behind on their work, they believe no one else at their company can do the work while they’re out and they fear they will be replaced while they’re gone. Yeah. That’s messed up. Americans think they are will lose their job if they go on vacation, so obviously that workplace mentality should be tweaked.
Do you really not want this sunset at Four Seasons Costa Rica?
In any case, Project Time Off conducted another recent survey to conclude the top five cities where employees use the least vacation days, and it’s surprising.
5. Boston. What? How’d they slip in there. I’d be taking off every November to April with that weather.
4. Los Angeles. It’s not surprising considering the perfect year-round weather and lax office lifestyle, but LA works had greater fear about what their boss would think of them taking time off.
3. Tampa. Most employees pointed to “cost” as a barrier. They just don’t think they can afford to take time off.
2. San Francisco. About 62 percent of those surveyed said their workload is insane, which stopped them from taking time off.
1. Washington DC. Topping the list was Washington DC, where government workers are least likely to use vacation time. Government workers even have generous vacation rollover packages, which they rarely use.
Eating on the beach at Thompson Beach Hotel, Playa Del Carmen.
Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed at over 600 hotels and clocked millions of air miles. He currently lives in New York City.