Paid holidays are essential for promoting health work-life balance among experts. But according to a new report from Resume.io, a career resource platform, American workers aren’t getting enough of them.
The reportreviewed data on legislation administering annual statutory leave and paid public holidays in 197 countries, and found that the United States was the second worst country in terms of paid vacation days. .
Lotte van Rijswijk, head of content at Resume.io, told CNBC Make It: “The US lack of paid vacation days negatively affects work-life balance in many ways. The average American receives ten number of days off each year after a year of service, all of which are public holidays such as Presidents Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Follow Bureau of Labor Statisticsentitlement to paid leave can vary due to a number of factors including industry, full-time versus part-time employment, and union versus non-union status.
“Studies show that 50% American workers do not have time to take vacations. This lack of downtime can lead to burnout and stress — and in more severe cases depression and mental health conditions,” says van Rijswijk. “According to the American Psychological Association, 27% American adults say they’re so stressed they can’t function.”
Based on the report, here are the 10 countries with the fewest paid vacation days:
1. Micronesia
Continent: Oceania
Total number of paid leave days: 9
2. United States
Continent: North America
Total number of paid leave days: 10
3. Nauru
Continent: Oceania
Total number of paid leave days: 10
4. Palau
Continent: Oceania
Total number of paid leave days: 12
5. Kiribati
Continent: Oceania
Total number of paid leave days: 13
6. Mexico
Continent: North America
Total number of paid leave days: 14
7. China
Continent: Asia
Total number of paid leave days: 16
8. Lebanon
Continent: Asia
Total number of paid leave days: 17
9. Philippines
Continent: Asia
Total number of paid leave days: 17
10. Nigeria
Continent: Africa
Total number of paid leave days: 17
According to van Rijswijk, the US also lacks a paid leave department. Although most countries have 4 weeks of paid leave, the United States is “the only developed country that does not have statutory paid leave”.
And given the growing concerns of a economic depression in 2023, working mothers, fathers and carers shouldn’t expect changes in favor of early paid leave – however, van Rijswijk says “employers value it employee benefits will not cut this type of benefit.”
“Our prediction is that some companies may consider rolling back paid time off (parental and vacation) back to the minimum allowed by law,” she explains. Businesses with a longer-term vision won’t do this.”
“That’s because when companies cut paid leave, all employers could argue that they’re winning back time and that time could be money – but won’t be worth it. nothing much if the workforce is overworked, stressed, unmotivated and inefficient.”
For employees who scramble for more vacation or paid leave, van Rijswijk recommends supporting yourself by expressing your needs to leadership.
“People can advocate for themselves and their needs by negotiating paid vacation days with their employer,” she says. “The most accessible time to do this is at the stage of accepting an employer’s job offer – but compassionate employers should be open to conversing with employees who are feel they need more time off (especially when circumstances change, like personal health and family size, etc.), no matter how long they’ve worked there.”
“Another way that countries with the least amount of paid leave can promote change is to put pressure on government groups and representatives. The more noise employees make about their rights, the better. The more news and airtime the issue will receive, over time, this can help decision-makers make decisions about serious concerns and spur changes in welfare law and policy. at work.”
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