by D. Brawn-Mitchell

Created on: May 19, 2009

I lost my job. I'm looking for another job. Today I interviewed for a great job that I would love. I started signing papers and before I knew it, I heard, "By the way, what are your salary expectations?"

Still no problem. I gave my salary expectations, which was the salary I had when I left my last job. I said that more than salary, I am interested in holiday / vacation time. I asked for three weeks.

He looked as if my face had turned green as a monster and with horns.

"We all have two weeks, here. I have been working here for four years and I still have eleven days with no prospect for more."

At first, his response was one of "why do you think you deserve more"? In my efforts to negotiate and to prove I was in earnest, I shared my willingness to accept a decrease in salary to have more time off. He began to soften.

"Yes, I understand what you are saying. My home is so far away, (on another continent) and I only have two weeks. I would love to have more. I will mention it to the boss." I haven't heard back.

Hello. What is it with companies in Canada and the U.S.? Two out of fifty-two weeks a year, employees can take off. Wow. Blow me away.

We are known as such a multicultural societies. For most immigrants, two weeks would mean a quick visit home, and that's it for the year. Beat your brains out for the rest.

I'm appalled. It infuriates me to think that in spite of being generous and caring cultures we still demand the heart and soul out of each other for work.

Two weeks for vacation is inhuman. It is unjust. It is not healthy. It is wrong. People cannot work well without more down-time, breaks and whatever-they-want-to-do time.

We all know about Europe. Jobs start there with four week holiday benefits. What is wrong with us North Americans? We, as nations, are doing so much better because we work our people to death, right? I don't think there is evidence that European economies are lagging due to too much "holiday". But, if this could be proved, then let's see Europeans revert to 2 weeks. I wonder how that would go over?

I've heard the feedback, "There are so many people who don't use their vacation time." They take the money instead. So? Why can't I have the choice? I need three weeks bottom line - I'll agree to less money. I'm smart, don't want to be a manager; I just want to do good work.

Next step? I would like to hear the honest opinions of health care professionals as to whether only 2 out of 52 weeks away from work is really doing us no harm. I just don't believe for a minute that it is right to demand this of people - recession or not.

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