One of the first blogs I began reading was Russell Beattie's Notebook. I don't remember how I found him, but I immeditately like his writing style and the fact that his posts often taught me things or made me think about something.
Go read his Vacation Time post. It's good to hear a U.S. citizen's perspective on the European approach to vacation time. They're a lot smarter than we are.
This caught my interest because I came very close to working for a European software company a few months ago. I'd have remained in the U.S. but would have still been on the stanard company vacation program--roughly 25 days per year. I have to say, it was difficult to pass that up. Not Russell is making me think about it again.
Posted by jzawodn at June 28, 2003 01:36 PM
it is a very nice thing. even when you end up burning two weeks off for medical reasons. and its 25 days plus six paid holidays. ;)
it is nice enough that i can't imagine going back. if i had to work for an american company again, i'd probably try to negotiate the time off in lieu of some salary.
and then there's the piece of mind of not being an "at-will" employee....
When you wander away from technology subjects, your youthful flirtation with liberalism shows.
Europe is desperate for workers, especially young ones, to support their totally screwed up pension system.
Aging Europe Finds Its Pension Is Running Out
By RICHARD BERNSTEIN
June 29, 2003
see: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/29/international/europe/29AGIN.html?hp=&pagewanted=print&position=
I still have 35 days of vacation left for this year. Basically because I could only take 12 last year and have too many projects to work on to take a few days off... but I don't work in a bureaucracy... in the online business, vacation is handled a lot different that in the so called old economy...
Before I forget, you made want to read this. Its about a 21yro french student who is feed up with the lack of a work ethic in France.
Some call her the NEW Joan of Arc.
Snipet:
""There is no value put on work in France," she said. "I've just come back from Hong Kong where people love to work. In France they are always looking for a way to get out of it."
During an exchange term at Birmingham University she was impressed not only by the beer but also by the British work ethic. "If people want to work, they can work. In France we have let the union minority take us all hostage."
The question now facing Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is whether Mlle Herold really does speak for millions. If so, he may be able to press through his changes. If not, and the strikes continue, he will be forced to resign."
The point for you and russell is that what you perceive as european enlightenment is really just the pretext for massive social upheaval for years to come.
So tell russell to get off his fat ass and get back to work. Do it for america!!!
Great timing on this. I just got an offer at a medium sized 43 year old defense think tank and as part of the offer I get 4 weeks of vacation to start, plus 13 paid holidays, 5 "management leave days" and 8 sick days. In addition I would work a 9/80 (every other Friday off). The employee turnover is pretty close to nil, they have never had a lay off in the past 43 years, and they are a non-profit corporation.
The only catch of course is, I have to uproot the family and move to Los Angeles.
I accepted the offer, even though the dollars are just a tiny bit more than I make now, for the sole reason of wanting a "real life". Time for the family and myself. I have not had a "real" vacation in 4 years (more than 4 days off not counting weekends) and my skin has become such a pasty white its sickening :)
Americans dont know how to vacation, we are too much in a hurry whereever we go.
jim
ps - know anyone in SoCal who can give me tips where I should live?
Damn, Jim. That's a pretty sweet sounding deal. I know I'd be tempted in your shoes.
i work for a university in the US. we actually get 25 days of vacation a year plus unlimited sick days. it's one of the few things keeping me in academia when i know i could make a lot more money in the private sector.
Anders,
25 days off, and unlimited sick days - that is awesome. My wife is an English Prof, but alas, only a adjunct (meaning part time - no benefits). Although she does get summer off....no pay however :) She is hoping to get a full time teaching job soon, yes the pay isnt there as compared to the private sector, but you must love what you do to put up with crazy students :)
jim
You bet we are smart! Plus the 35-hour working week, and, in Spain, the siesta!
You bet we are smart! Plus the 35-hour working week, and, in Spain, the siesta!
You bet we are smart! Plus the 35-hour working week, and, in Spain, the siesta!
Here in Spain we don't have "siesta", only privilegiated could do that, and the people that have this amount of holidays it's not lazy it's smart and employers too because a happy and relaxed people works better than other that is burnning of work.
Here in Spain we don't have "siesta", only privilegiated could do that, and the people that have this amount of holidays it's not lazy it's smart and employers too because a happy and relaxed people works better than other that is burnning of work.
Here in Spain we don't have "siesta", only privilegiated could do that, and the people that have this amount of holidays it's not lazy it's smart and employers too because a happy and relaxed people works better than other that is burnning of work.
Here in Spain we don't have "siesta", only privilegiated could do that, and the people that have this amount of holidays it's not lazy it's smart and employers too because a happy and relaxed people works better than other that is burnning of work.
Here in Spain we don't have "siesta", only privilegiated could do that, and the people that have this amount of holidays it's not lazy it's smart and employers too because a happy and relaxed people works better than other that is burnning of work.
Hey, when you guys say siesta do you undestand that it means 12 hour days? Open shop at 8, work until 1:30, lunch, open shop again at 5 work until 8 pm? The long lunches and the famous nap sound wonderful in the 9 to five world, but sounds different in the 8 to 8 Spain.
