The average American worker earned 14 paid vacation days in 2011. Me? I had zero.
That’s right. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
There’s a simple reason for my lack of vacation days: I’m a freelancer. Hence, I have no actual boss who could give me paid vacation. I set my own hours, my own schedule, and typically work twice as much in the week or two leading up to my vacation to guarantee that I complete my assignments before I leave town.
My husband on the other hand… well, he has a boss. He also works in a field that makes taking vacation days about as easy as eradicating the national debt. Last year, he earned 15 days of paid vacation, but – for one reason or another – was only able to take 11 of them.
Turns out, he’s not alone.
A Nation Without Vacation
According to a November 2011 survey by the travel website Expedia, American workers left an average of two paid vacation days on the table last year. The folks at CNN Money did the math, and calculated that means the American workforce as a whole is forfeiting a total of 226 million vacation days, worth an estimated $34.3 billion dollars. And, by some accounts, that’s a low-ball estimate; another 2011 survey (this one by Expedia competitor Hotwire) found the average American worker left 6.2 vacation days unused each year. That figure represents more than $100 billion dollars in paid time off.
The sad fact is, many Americans consider paid vacation time a privilege. I remember at my old job, I couldn’t wait to hit the 10-year mark, when I’d earn that coveted third week of paid vacation a year. Meanwhile in other industrialized nations, paid vacation isn’t a privilege: it’s a right. The United States is one of the only wealthy nations that doesn’t require employers to give workers vacation days. In Germany and Japan, federal regulations give workers a minimum of 20 paid vacation days annually; the number is even higher in France, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Even China and Mexico have minimum-vacation policies for workers.
The Benefits of Vacation
I just got back from a week at the beach with my family and our best friends. And while I got a killer tan and ate some amazing fresh seafood, my time away was more than just a chance to hang out with those near and dear to me: it was an opportunity to rejuvenate, reinvigorate, restore my soul, my mojo, my inspiration. Now back at work, I feel more refreshed and motivated to work than I did in the weeks leading up to my vacation.
Science backs this up. The 2010 version of that Expedia survey found that more than a third of American workers felt better about their job – and were more productive doing it – post-vacation than pre-vacation. A 2007 study by former NASA scientists found that workers returning from a vacation saw an 82 percent productivity boost post-vacation. So all work and no play does make Jack a dull boy after all.
Reader, do you use all your paid vacation days every year? Why or why not?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I joke that I don’t ever get to call in sick for my job or any paid vacation days, but it’s because I’m a SAHM. I wouldn’t trade it for the world (or a bigger house, better car…) so I shouldn’t complain, right? My husband has a boss, too…and not just a cute, little one that bosses him around to make him a grilled cheese, tie his shoes, etc. His boss is very demanding, but thankfully also very generous when he’s done a great job. This week, he’s working from home today, and off the next 3 days! But it’s because last week, he worked 60 hours to meet a deadline…so he totally deserved this! Glad you enjoyed your vacation and feel refreshed!
Totally feel ya… I’m a freelancer, too, and I find I work on and off the whole day through, morning to night. Sure I’m in my PJs a lot, but I’d probably be working way less if I was at a regular 9 to 5. Wouldn’t trade it, though.
That’s the breaks of freelancing hey? The biggest draw of freelancing for me is the flexibility, but it sounds like that basic means “choosing” to work really hard most of the time! As a teacher, I obviously am the envy of the working world and I definitely don’t my bevy of paid vacation days for granted.
There is no doubt that freelancing can be tough, but it has its perks eh?
I usually use all of mine. Seems like I don’t have enough!
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m so shocked that you guys don’t get around the same amount of days holiday as we do here in the UK! And the fact that most don’t use them at all, we get 21 days a year holiday, minimum! And that’s not including bank holidays etc.
I’m with Michelle on this one, as it seems like we don’t have enough!