July 9, 2008 10:30 AM

Take off and give nothing back
Posted by Clifford Atiyehat 10:30 AM

Americans work too hard. That the average American worker gets far fewer vacation days than European workers isn't a new fact, but this article by Barbara Whelehan of Bankrate.com reports that Americans, on average, give back 460 million days of vacation a year. And to top it off, surveys have shown that a significant portion of people feel guilty for taking vacations. All while employers pocket more than $65 billion each year in unused days.

The European Union has a mandate that all workers receive at least four weeks vacation, and many countries go above that. Government workers in the United States, as well as many in the education field, get at least five weeks. The rest of us are usually offered two weeks, with the hope that one day, after 10 years at the company, we'll be graciously rewarded with another week or two.

Should Congress vote to enact a minimum vacation standard? Absolutely. Anyone who says more vacation would make business suffer and companies less productive has no argument today. The economy and the dollar are sagging horrendously, mostly due to lousy fiscal decisions by the government. Taking a few extra days isn't going to make Q1 results drop or cause another 1987 market crash. It will, however, keep employees sane and in greater mental health.

It's also true some folks don't enjoy their lives outside work. Perhaps it's because they're not allowed to have them in the first place.