When I worked in retail, I wasn’t offered vacation days, so if I wanted a day off, I wouldn’t get paid (even though I was in management and worked there for over 5 years as a full-time manager, but that’s just another depressing story). But now that I have a different job I get actual vacation days. I get 15 days a year (not including holidays so it’s more than that of course) but last year I only used 12 days.Why did I do this? After not having a vacation day for over 5 years, you’d think I would use them all. I think since I didn’t have vacation days ever, I felt kind of bad for using all of my vacation days.
This year I plan on using all of my vacation days. I still have 4 left, and I’m using one day this Friday and the other 3 the rest of the month. It’ll be nice!
I also came across this article from Yahoo that talks about how $34.3 billion worth of vacation days will go unused this year. Here are some interesting facts:
- The average American worker earned 14 vacation days but will only take 12 of them
- Most people didn’t use all of their days because they said they couldn’t afford a vacation
- Too much stuff to do at work so most people can’t even use their days
- Many workers feel that if they took a day off, that they may be fired due to the economic situation
- Most other countries use ALL of their vacation time.
“Workers in France earned 30 vacation days, on average, in 2011, and often used every single one of those days. The same goes for employees in Brazil and Spain. In the UK, workers get 25 days and they used all 25.”
Do you always use all of your days?
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femmefrugality says
Heck yes. You're getting paid for them…you're ripping yourself off if you don't use them! Enjoy yours the rest of the month!
Anna Walker says
I am not working right now, but I don't know if I would or wouldn't! I find it strange that here in America we don't take the small amounts of vacation time we have, but in Europe, they have more vacation time and they take it all! They seem happier for it too.. .http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/
working.for.money says
Yep. I'd be depressed if I didn't use them all even though I love my job. I still need to use up two more this month or I'll lose them. It blows my mind when I see how much time and money American lose by not taking what is theirs.
Tanner says
Sadly, I have to. I either use them or lose them as they are not carried over. Even if it's just an extra day (preferrably Monday or Friday) to sleep in, I'd take them. Then again, where I work, we have no PTO of any sort other than vacation, so if you're sick or have Dr's appointments that take more than half a day, then you're forced to use your vacation or not get paid… needless to say, yes. I currently get 2 weeks every year (first year you get zero) and I make sure I plan and take every day.
Bryallen says
I'm in the UK and yes, I take every day allowed!! 🙂
McVal says
I get 15 days too. And every single one of them is accounted for due to kids and their schedules…dang.
Eric Finlay says
I've always worked the kinda job where vacation days are an extra 4% on your paycheck and you just don't get paid when you don't come in.
Stephanie says
Hey girl! I saw that you were my newest follower and wanted to say hi! (& thanks for following!) I just read your bio-what do you do? Are you an advisor? My husband is a financial advisor and he LOVES it, which is why I'm asking.Also, I was so sad to read about your dad. I, too, lost my dad a little over 3 years ago due to a massive heart attack. It is so so difficult so I can definitely relate to what you've been through.Anywho-I look forward to reading your blog! Love what I've read so far! xoxo
hollie says
I am terrified of your blog. Mostly because after going to a private school at 18 to get an AA which I can do nothing with, and then accrued a ton of interest on it bc I was young and dumb, I am getting more and more in debt to get my BA……anyways, can't wait to read more. New follower so far :)PS-You best believe I take all of my vacation days 😉
Alycia (Crowley Part says
My husband and I have been pretty good at using them up! It was great because he had stored up so much that he was getting paid the whole time we were on our honeymoon 🙂 That felt pretty good! haha
Sarah says
That kind of makes me sick. I definitely use all of my vacation time for several reasons. 1) I don't get paid enough to work on days I could have off 2) we keep the same amount of days we started with when we were hired 3) our days don't roll over. So I usually end up using most of mine towards the end of the year. This is my last full week of work and then I've got 2 days off next week and then I work 2 days the next week and I'm off til Jan. So excited!
slugmama says
I don't work outside the home but Hubs takes most of his and carries over as many as he is allowed. With his job he's not worried about being downgraded or singled out for termination for taking the time off, it's more like they give him the time but no opportunity to take them. He works on time sensitive projects and there is usually some deadline or other and if he takes time off(he is THAT valuable!lol)the project gets delayed and all hell breaks loose. So if he takes off, he stresses out the whole day about what he'll come back to the office and find. Nice huh?
Maribel says
I take all my vacation days NOW. Before 2011, I used to only take a couple days off here and there, but they have changed the policy at work. Take a vacation or lose those it. We used to be able to roll them over to the next year and now that we can't I am using them all.My vacation — December 23rd through January 3rd! 🙂 So happy to have a whole week away from work.
House of Sykes says
Abso-dagon-lutely! I have worked for my company four years and have always had 20 vacation days, 2 floating holidays and 9 regular holidays. Next year, I get 25 vacation days, 3 floating holidays and 9 regular holidays. You can bet your bottom dollar that I will use every.single.one!!!
Fash Boulevard says
Before the blog became my full time job I worked in retail as well. The vacation days were close to none, but even then I didn't ever really use them. It's a shame, but I can totally see how that happens. Glad you get more days now. loved this post. thanks for sharing. xo <a href="http://www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”>www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com
Mia says
This is so interesting and true – growing up, my mom barely took vacation time because she didn't want her boss to think she didn't work hard enough. And as a HR consultant, i think some companies really should train their and schedule their employees and managers better so that employees feel happy and comfortable taking vacation time like they do in europe. Funny that you fell under the "average" last year. I also read through some of your previous posts and I think they are all equally interesting, cute, and fun to read. Good to know I'm not alone on some of the things. :PHope you keep up the good work! I look forward to seeing your updates <3always,mia from olivesandcokeblogspot.com
lori says
this is so interesting. i believe in taking your days and having time with your family… especially when you have kids. i'd try to save up some (in case something comes up and you NEED them.) but i would never miss a family trip or holiday.
Michelle P says
Wow I should really start using all of my days!
Courtney B says
Ummmm…. this is craziness! I have to PAY money when I take a vacation! I rent my spot at a salon, so I have to pay booth rent whether I'm working or not. It's safe to say that if I could have paid vacation I would DEFINITELY use every single day 🙂
Chelsea Elizabeth. says
I dont have a job, but whenever I do get one I plan to use all of my vacation days! Even if its saving them to the end to have a week to myself.<3Chelsea Elizabeth
All Glam Things says
Yes, Yes and Yes!!! Love vacations!! Can spend every single day and more just relaxing and reading!) I'm totally loving your blog! I 'd love if you visited my blog for multiple posts on all things fashion and style. I'm following you, I hope you'll do the same. Thanks so much.GlamThings
Out My window says
What vacation time? When you are self employed there is no day off. I will not work in my shop on the weekends. I would be forced to work every day of the week if people had their way. I stayed open one Saturday during Prom season a few years ago and had people lined up 7 customers deep. Sunday's are sacred, I will not take a customer on Sunday unless it is for a funeral alteration. Like the suit comes in for a funeral and they are flying out Monday. I will also do last minute Military for soldiers that are leaving town. I would love to have a paid vacation. My husband has so much sick leave accrued he gives it away to the pregnant women in his office or to very ill personnel. He is forced to take vacation time or lose it.
Amanda says
I always use my vaca days!! I work hard enough so feel I deserve it lol!
Jane says
As a teacher I don't have much choice but I go back to school a week early to set up. Back when I worked in a bank I got two weeks during summer months OR three weeks in the off season; of course I chose the off-season. For a few years if you didn't use them all you could carry them forward but then they stopped and we were forced to use them up or lose them altogether!
Stephanie says
Not counting holidays, I get 15 vacation days each year (I accrue 10 hours/month) that I can bank from year to year (up to a certain limit) and 5 1/2 personal days (I accrue 11 hours each quarter) that are use 'em or lose 'em by the end of the calendar year. I ALWAYS use the personal days, but I usually keep about 5 days of vacation in reserve for emergencies. I'm not one of those crazy people who banks hundreds of hours of vacation time though!
Holly says
I don't have vacay days and if I want to take a vacation it can't last more than 3 days. LAME…. but it's okay. We're moving soon, so I won't be working here long! lol
The Happy Homeowner says
I used so many this year that I actually had to work more to "bank" additional time needed to go on my trips! (I'm VERY lucky that my employer offers this perk, although it's not widely advertised and is a serious benefit of a small, friendly office). So yes, USE THEM!! 🙂
Just a Jersey Girl says
I get 2 weeks paid vacay, 6 personal/sick days…I absolutely use all of them. I earn them, so why not