Ibbitson profiles the time people take off, in the form of government mandated vacation days and statutory holidays, from several countries around the world. Here are countries he profiles and the number of days off citizens typically receive in that country:
- Brazil - 41
- Lithuania -41
- Ireland - 29
- Australia - 28
- USA - 25
- Canada - 19
- China - 21
- France - 40
This data, along with a listing many other countries, comes from the Employee statutory and public holiday entitlements - global comparisons, produced by the consulting firm Mercer.
Interestingly, Canada and the US are the lowest in the list of more than 40 countries around the world. I'm left wondering the impact this has on our health. Is it possible that our vacation ethic could partially explain the increasing number of mental health issues we face in our society? My instinct says yes. Do you agree? Either way making change won't be easy as this quote from Mercer's press release explains " “Public holidays tend to be rooted in local tradition or religious beliefs, so it can be difficult to change practices."
Many of us are now in the middle of student leader training or welcoming a new crop of students to our campus. This typically involves working long hours and forgoing time off like weekends. After reading this article, hopefully, you realize its ok to take a little time away. Others around the world do ;-)
Interesting to read at a time when I have stepped away from a student affairs job and, for the first time in a long time, I'm not involved in the crazy hours of student leader training leading into the start-up of an academic year. After 17 years in the business, I have hit a wall. I have little left to give and have made a choice to give back to myself for awhile (i.e. focusing on my MA work, taking community college courses purely for self interest, making more music, working out more). I wonder whether I would be in this head-space if there was more encouragement to take time off officially. I recognize that part of it is my own work ethic and my personality, but I am NOT one of those people who doesn't take holidays and then wear that fact like a badge of honour. I want more balance but seem to find myself in jobs where that is often difficult. Being single doesn't help either as there seem to be more expectations that I have nothing to go home to in the first place. Hmmmmmmm.......
ReplyDeleteWatching the August craziness on Twitter unfold in the #StudentAffairs world is intense. The trick is SA ppl go right from orientation to programming to graduation. It's non-stop.
ReplyDeleteThx for sharing moxywoman. Great to hear from you. Excellent points Tom. It makes me wonder if SA attracts people who are more apt to work longer or if SA works simply demands that type of behaviour. Either way, finding strategies the minimize the chance of burn-out need to be discussed more.
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