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| Yes | 75% | 492 votes | Total: 659 votes | |
| No | 25% | 167 votes |
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Add to FavoritesEveryone I think would like to be guaranteed more vacation time, but we all know that this is just a pipe dream. We see it everyday how companies are all tightening their belts and we workers are the ones to suffer. I have worked all my life and have never been able to accumulate more than 3 weeks vacation, and then I was handed my pink slip.
I believe that this nation is on its way to burning out their best workers and performers. Vacation seems to be a dirty word these days. And, its funny because I am a travel agent! How envious I am when I book a two week vacation for a visiting international client. I haven't had two weeks off at one time, except when I was in grade school or unemployed!
Ah...travel it was one of the reasons I entered the industry. It was glamourous and exciting and I have been places, but never for more than a few days at a time. Not enough time to really relax and unwind. My company won't allow me to take more than one week off at a time and no time off in the winter, our busy season. I hear similar stories from every American who books vacations with me.
In the past I have used vacation days to fix my car, go to court, the doctor, stay home with a sick child, etc. I'm sure that everyone else has done the same. All I can think of these days is that I am tired of working and would like to retire (fat chance). I enjoy my job, but there are many other things I would like to do with my life. The work day seems to get longer and longer with less benefits and pay and many people are even afraid to take their alloted vacation time if things are shakey at work.
I believe that many people like myself will suffer more illnesses due to the stressful demands of work and no time off: such as depression, anxiety, sleep issues, weight problems, heart problems, etc. Does the government and these companies realize that we are becoming an unhealthy nation because we are being worked to death and have no time to take care of ourselves. And, during a day off or weekend how many of us spend that time running errands, repairing our homes and catching up on everything we can't do during the week.
No wonder why the Europeans I know seem so much happier with their lives and content. They are healthier and have more time to travel and with their families. They work to live, they don't live to work. They are here on earth to have time to enjoy the fruits of their labor: something Americans aren't allowed to do. Their companies place very much importance on the quality of life for those workers. In return they have loyal, hard working and happy employees.
My own parents immigrated from Europe to have a better life and I am sometimes sorry that they did. Neither one of them had education and my poor mother died two years after retirement where she worked in a factory for many years, many times six days a week. She never had time to visit family like she wanted, spend time with her grandchildren or to travel back to Europe. She died a sick and unhappy woman.
I meet people everyday that are unhappy with their jobs, their schedules, lack of free time, and the demands that working has on their home life and personal life. I think that the United States and its politicians need to start thinking more about us working class people...afterall we are what has made this country great.
Stress on the job and overworking us will lead to larger problems down the road for many workers that the government will have to pay for: such as higher medical costs. It is definitely time for change in America. Being proactive now, will save companies money in the long run and the American people can rise to the top again! Vacation time is something we all need and deserve in life. No one can guarantee more vacation time, but companies should be held responsible for overworking and using scare tactics to keep employees on the job for more hours, less pay and less vacation time.
Learn more about this author, AnnMarie.
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No
Workers should not be guaranteed more time off, but more other benefits. Workers would benefit if everyone was given better medical insurance plans. Workers would have more money to spend whenever they went on vacation, if they were given better medical insurance plans. There are many other benefits that can be given to workers rather than more vacation time. US workers work very hard for little benefits at all, I just think that the money could be better spend investing in US workers' futures. Securing jobs and bringing jobs into work market is more important than more vacation time.
Most workers get plenty of vacation, it's just in other areas that US workers could us more compensation. I wouldn't want US workers or myself not to receive basic benefits, because of getting more vacation days. I enjoy my vacation days and I'm thankful for them, but I sure could use more medical insurance. The cost of medical care is so expensive for US workers, I just wished that there was something done to bring down the cost of medical care. Vacation time is important for rest and relaxation, but it's not required for anyone to usually require or need more than a week or two a year. I can see how vacation time is important for performance and good quality work, but I can't say that I think that US workers should be guaranteed more vacation time. US workers being guaranteed more vacation could have adverse effects on more employees being hired or from getting a job. That could be really bad for the job market in general.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that I need more vacation time in a years time than I'm all ready receiving from my job. I get by just fine all year long with the days that I'm given at work. My employer is fair with how workers earn vacation days. The same is probably true for the majority of employers, so I don't think that US workers should be guaranteed more vacation time.
Learn more about this author, Patricia Farley.
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