“The US is the only advanced economy that does not require employers to offer paid holidays or time off.”
“Not even a single US state has a paid-vacation law on the books."
The above lines are from an article by Jack Dickey in the latest issue of TIME (1 June 2015) , titled “Save the Vacation.”
So, is the ‘lack of paid-leave’ in USA a thing that people of US need to be proud of? Or guilty of?
That's a question only they can answer.
But ‘being overworked is the main reason Americans say they skip vacation’ – or at least for what they put money aside for - according to Dickey’s well researched article.
Being overworked, to skip vacation? Is it not like saying you are too tired to sleep?
The article, however, has such an overwhelming backup of statistical analyses and inferences, that you will be, well, overwhelmed.
Now, here in Bahrain, as the mercury rises, undoubtedly, there are plans made by many – especially the expatriates – to run off to cooler climes.
With schools and universities closed during July and August, it is usually a huge rigmarole for many us, to try and convince our bosses, particularly those of us in private establishments, to let us match our vacation with our children’s.
And our bosses hem and haw, shrug their shoulders, roll their eyes, look towards heaven, and make all such gestures that would delight a body language analyst, but ultimately, grudgingly, reluctantly, they concede to our requests.
They have to. They must. They can’t say no. After all, it is the law. Annual vacation, I mean. Not its matching with children’s.
Most foreigners, here are on contracts, have guaranteed paid-leave after every two years, if not after every year. And most Bahrainis have one month paid-leave that is statutory.
So, in a way, those of us working here, enjoy a slightly better vacation situation than those in the USA.
But the real question, I think, is not whether you are lawfully privileged to enjoy a vacation but whether you are happily engaged, in enjoying one.
In these days of constant connectivity, are you really switched off? Away from your office mail, and away from that office interaction, while on vacation? That is the question.
According to TIME’s article, 61 per cent of employed vacationers in America say they plan to do minor work-related tasks during their vacation. 38 per cent will be emailing, 32 per cent accessing office files, 30 per cent receiving and making calls and at least 24 per cent texting.
But will that not kill the very purpose of a vacation? Is not the “break” a time to go and come back, refreshed and rejuvenated?
That is why some companies in US – which can afford it – are telling their employees to go on a vacation; and even giving them incentives.
While we may not get incentives, we must be glad that we can go, and make the best of what we get when we go.
While we cannot completely unplug ourselves from work, I think, we must try to disconnect from work-related tasks when we can. By effective planning, and bold delegation.
“A six month vacation, twice a year,” is a mere fantasy.
But “a one month vacation, once a year,” is a real luxury to some.
“Not even a single US state has a paid-vacation law on the books."
The above lines are from an article by Jack Dickey in the latest issue of TIME (1 June 2015) , titled “Save the Vacation.”
So, is the ‘lack of paid-leave’ in USA a thing that people of US need to be proud of? Or guilty of?
That's a question only they can answer.
But ‘being overworked is the main reason Americans say they skip vacation’ – or at least for what they put money aside for - according to Dickey’s well researched article.
Being overworked, to skip vacation? Is it not like saying you are too tired to sleep?
The article, however, has such an overwhelming backup of statistical analyses and inferences, that you will be, well, overwhelmed.
Now, here in Bahrain, as the mercury rises, undoubtedly, there are plans made by many – especially the expatriates – to run off to cooler climes.
With schools and universities closed during July and August, it is usually a huge rigmarole for many us, to try and convince our bosses, particularly those of us in private establishments, to let us match our vacation with our children’s.
And our bosses hem and haw, shrug their shoulders, roll their eyes, look towards heaven, and make all such gestures that would delight a body language analyst, but ultimately, grudgingly, reluctantly, they concede to our requests.
They have to. They must. They can’t say no. After all, it is the law. Annual vacation, I mean. Not its matching with children’s.
Most foreigners, here are on contracts, have guaranteed paid-leave after every two years, if not after every year. And most Bahrainis have one month paid-leave that is statutory.
So, in a way, those of us working here, enjoy a slightly better vacation situation than those in the USA.
But the real question, I think, is not whether you are lawfully privileged to enjoy a vacation but whether you are happily engaged, in enjoying one.
In these days of constant connectivity, are you really switched off? Away from your office mail, and away from that office interaction, while on vacation? That is the question.
According to TIME’s article, 61 per cent of employed vacationers in America say they plan to do minor work-related tasks during their vacation. 38 per cent will be emailing, 32 per cent accessing office files, 30 per cent receiving and making calls and at least 24 per cent texting.
But will that not kill the very purpose of a vacation? Is not the “break” a time to go and come back, refreshed and rejuvenated?
That is why some companies in US – which can afford it – are telling their employees to go on a vacation; and even giving them incentives.
While we may not get incentives, we must be glad that we can go, and make the best of what we get when we go.
While we cannot completely unplug ourselves from work, I think, we must try to disconnect from work-related tasks when we can. By effective planning, and bold delegation.
“A six month vacation, twice a year,” is a mere fantasy.
But “a one month vacation, once a year,” is a real luxury to some.
No comments:
Post a Comment