I am actually horrified to learn that there is not a law regarding mandatory vacation time in the US. I kind of assumed that 2 weeks vacation was a given in North America if you had a full time job. Just goes to show how little I really do know about my neighbours!
I feel incredibly fortunate at my job. I have just put in enough time to get 25 days vacation plus stat holidays. I have been there 9 years in a salaried position. I have always known I was lucky to get my job (I had a standard, minimum wage, 2 weeks off job before) but after reading this I realize that I should never leave my current position!
I already knew that but I'm still horrified when I read it. I'd be terrified to work in such an environment.
sounds goodIf it's not too personal a question, for which non-profit organisation do you work?
I think there's a pretty big difference between for-profits and non-profits.
I have worked for both, and it was like night and day. The for-profit had 5 paid holidays a year, and if you took sick time it was because you were weak and didn't care about the company. On the other hand, they had cash incentives for performance. The culture there was very difficult for me. Pressure!!!
Now that I'm back with a non-profit, I feel much better. I can sleep at night, anyway.They offer a lot more understanding and flexibility. In return, we have to bring our own pens from home... (no, not really, but it is a different work environment). In non-profits, they've said "take care of your family" if we had an issue. They work with you.
That sounds like a pretty cool job! You do something useful & for those people who are the weakest link in society and health system. And contrary to many other non-profit organisations you have a visible and tangible success. =)
I am actually horrified to learn that there is not a law regarding mandatory vacation time in the US. I kind of assumed that 2 weeks vacation was a given in North America if you had a full time job. Just goes to show how little I really do know about my neighbours!
I feel incredibly fortunate at my job. I have just put in enough time to get 25 days vacation plus stat holidays. I have been there 9 years in a salaried position. I have always known I was lucky to get my job (I had a standard, minimum wage, 2 weeks off job before) but after reading this I realize that I should never leave my current position!
Workers in the US have very, very few rights. There is no guarantee of minimum (or maximum) hours, a very low (relative to living standards) minimum wage, employment is almost always "at will" (meaning you can be terminated at any time for almost any reason), and there is no guarantee of paid time off whatsoever. Even unpaid time off is only guaranteed by laws covering certain family events, such as the birth or death of a loved one, or military service. Plenty of jobs take the line that if you don't come in to work when they tell you, you can find yourself a new job.
Only with Obamacare is there anything resembling a guarantee of health coverage, and even that has significant exceptions.
. I think it's been several years since I last used a flexi day, so generally the hours keep getting carried forward, subject to a limit of 11hrs 30 mins.
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