Vacation Deficit Disorder?

[ekerr19]

I just opened my new National Geographic "Traveler" magazine and came across an interesting article that gives me food for thought...

American workers are not mandated ANY paid vacation and/or holidays by our government... We are the only nation in the survey that does not receive any government mandated vacation/holiday pay...

According to the article, we are working ourselves to death. I know I am not alone in feeling guilty for any time I take off from work, apparently many others do as well...

I am supposed to get four weeks paid vacation. More often than not, I will take 10-14 days a year, and break the rest of my time into long weekends.

Also, the article mentions that this is not healthy - I should be taking time off in larger increments.... but, am I alone? Don't you feel somewhat "guilty" taking time off too? :confused:

[jtl513]

Before I retired, I was always afraid if I took too much time at once they would discover they could get along just fine without me!! :D :D Now they know, but who cares! :D

When I left I got paid for about 4 wks vacation still unused, but I left about 20 wks of sick time "on the books". :eek: :eek:

[hammybee]

Before I retired, I averaged about a 75 hour work week and constant travel. I had 6 weeks of vaca.and I used every minute of it. No regrets.

We often had European consultants who worked with us who marveled at the different values and the work ethic in the U.S. Conversely, Asian consultants usually ran rings around all of us. I taught many the Harry Belafonte Banana Boat ( Day-o) song.

[Cruising-along]

We often had European consultants who worked with us who marveled at the different values and the work ethic in the U.S. Conversely, Asian consultants usually ran rings around all of us. I taught many the Harry Belafonte Banana Boat ( Day-o) song.

I love that song!
Best part of the movie Beetlejuice IMO!

[JimVrhovac]

For years we never took an vacation and were more interested in nesteg and family, etc.

We have paid our dues to go out and enjoy as much vacation as we can afford or tolerate.

Ruth currently has a yearly cruise budget of $70,000.00 and she is determined to use it all up. Currently we have 81 days booked on cruise ships and plan to keep on going as long as we can...

Ideal financial planning is when the check to the mortician bounces....

Ruth & Jim

[maxout]

The Warden I work for feels it is a tribute to how well you manage your division if you are gone for 2-3 weeks and he doesn't notice any difference. Wise man. :)

Do I feel bad about leaving? No, not any more. I have zero guilt about leaving. I have built a very effective team that handles their business and I can take a guilt-free, stress-free vacation. I am worth it! :D

[Bill S]

During my military career, I seldom used our annual allotment of 30 days of leave per year, but even when I did, it was spread out over several short vacations.

After I retired from the USAF and started working in the private sector and putting in several years of 60-70 hour work weeks, as a "boss", I came had no "guilt" about taking more frequent and longer vacations, specifically, cruising. Initially, I was worried how the office would manage but I gradually had full confidence the gang could manage just fine without me. Nevertheless, on a day-to-day basis, I still did not like being away from the office during business hours, to the point that I rarely even left for lunch.

Glad those days are behind me! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

There were many years when we were not ale to take vacation time at the same time - thus no vacations -- and we had senority.

[msmarvel]

I currently have 3 weeks and 2 floaters each year, and I work for a major pharma company. Luckily, my management is very pro vacation and pro work-life balance. So I take all my vacation, or maybe carry over a day or two if I have something planned the next year. I boked my cruise in November because I still had 7 days left and wanted to use them!

Now, a friend who works at my old company (another pharma) works 12 hour days and doesn't catch up. Her boss does the same and expects everyone eles to do that. I don't understand that mentality, cause when you leave, they don't give you anything repay you or make up for the time you were away from home and family. She does take vacation, but I don't know if she uses it all since they get 5 weeks or something crazy.

[jhannah]

I agree with maxout. When a good manager is away, no one notices (so far as the function of the enterprise is concerned.) I had a great support staff who really did the day-to-day work, so when I was gone everything got done as normal. I just wasn't available for consult and training.

No, I never felt remorse for taking a vacation. I worked a long time to build vacation days longer than two weeks per year. I did, however, limit my time away to 2 or 2 1/2 weeks at a time. I did this for me, because the longer I was away the longer it took me to dispose of all the stuff that build up during my absence.

These days I'm on perpetual vacation! And I love it! :cool:

[madelinerose]

Don't you feel somewhat "guilty" taking time off too? :confused:


Never in a million years!

[gizmo]

Never in a million years!

Ditto !!!:)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Never in a million years!

I agree, I never feel quilty any more but.... do I suffur for being gone once I return :eek: YES :o

Like many others we went years that we never even left town and even though I was on vacation I would go into work. When we were young we would do the Disney thing and take our son places but only once a year because money was going other places.

About 10 yrs ago we decided we needed to enjoy life so we started to put aside money just for vacations, although we could only take one full week at a time we started to travel to Hawaii usually twice a year until we descovered cruising in 2002. Then for the first couple of year we dicided the time between Hawaii and Cruising now the last few years have just been cruising.

We each get 4 weeks a year and we try to go once every 3 to 4 months. If my commissioned income drops then I just drop down a category;) But we still cruise.

I think it is very important for mental well being to always have something to look forward to, it gives you that reason to get out of bed and get to work:)

[noblepa]

I love that song!
Best part of the movie Beetlejuice IMO!

If you can find it at a library or video store, try to get the episode of the old "Muppet Show" in which HB guest-starred. He did the song, with a bunch of the muppets. It is hilarious.

As for feeling guilty about taking time off, I don't, but my wife always yells at me.

I work for the local county government and we often get "administrative" days, which are extra holidays granted at the discretion of our manager. Often, these are used for things like the friday after Thanksgiving, which is not a formal holiday. We just have to coordinate them, so that not everyone in a department is off at the same time. My wife yells at me for taking such days off.

She even complained when I got Columbus day (a formal county holiday, county offices are closed) off, but the school she works at didn't. She tells me "You're taking too much time off". I get three weeks per year and I've got six weeks of accumulated vacation and about the same in sick leave.

I need a cruise to use up some of that vacation time.

[GmaPajama]

I had one of those bosses who called constantly when I was out of the office. I could always count on at least one early morning call, then usually several more throughout the day. I was convinced the business would not survive without me.

I retired about 5 years ago. Whenever he called the person who took my place, she simply told him "This is a day off for me, we'll have to talk later." ... and then refused to engage in conversation. Surprise of surprises - she didn't get fired, and the business survived just fine.

A real lesson for me, and for the boss as well.

[Scrumpy]

Great topic, Laura! Thanks for posting about this.

I used to feel extremely guilty about taking time off when I worked; things always seemed to go wrong when I was out of the office and I always felt responsible for that. In spite of leaving copious notes and instructions, mistakes would be made while I was gone and I didn't like the mistakes themselves or the time it took to correct them. While some co-workers liked overtime, I arranged a shorter work week because I liked to work hard, get it done and then go home. I never wanted to drag things out any longer than absolutely necessary and I HATED it when I made errors! I was completely anal-rententive about things being done correctly. I took three weeks off once to go to NZ; it turned into 4 weeks out of 5 when we had a sudden death in the family a few weeks beforehand, which meant a r/t to NZ before the scheduled trip. I did not feel guilty being gone for the funeral, but those extra days away made me feel even guiltier (in some ways) about the 3 week stretch that started less than a week after my return.

I have not been employed for about 8 years. Now the challenge is to get DH to take time off. He worries about the impact it will have on clients - more than (I think) he should. He is self-employed; there is usually no one else on a project who does exactly what he does. He just had the WORST week he's ever had as a consultant, working 33 hours straight, having about 10 hours off, then working another 30 hours or so - and then long hours the next few days, but at least with breaks at night for sleep! Since he's definitely earned it, I'd love it if he'd stay home a few extra days and do something he enjoys or just plain rest, but that won't happen. He'll probably work long hours next week, too, and quite possibly put in some time this weekend. It's not healthy, it causes me a lot of worry and stress, but many other working people in many fields are in the same boat - and some of them are working 18-24-30+ hours straight a LOT more often. Some don't ever seem to take (or necessarily get) much time off, so I guess we are lucky. I remember working several jobs while going to school myself; "vacation" meant visiting relatives where the bed and food were free, after spending up to 24 hours in the car to get there. Many people work long hours habitually and some do it in such low-paying jobs that their vacations are likely to be a week with relatives, too. Not exactly the same as a cruise... I'm not knocking family, but my grandma doesn't drink, doesn't have a spa and sure doesn't do room service!

I keep reading that many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Most people still have to go to work because "catching up on sleep" isn't usually an acceptable excuse to stay home; they aren't working as efficiently because they're tired. Most people (have to) drive cars to get to work, in spite of tests showing a sleep-deprived person can be at least as dangerous as someone under the influence of alcohol. Studies are showing how our youth are also getting less sleep than needed, which may affect not only their intellectual capacity but also their psychological well-being and both may lead to long-term problems. It's a serious situation. I think folks would be better off tending to their vacation/leisure needs and their day-to-day need for relaxation and sleep, but that isn't something we are taught to value. In fact, we're taught the opposite and the American work ethic has never given vacation priority. Especially now, businesses want things done yesterday and they want them done by fewer people, so many working people work harder than they used to. I'm glad I quit working when I did. I watched lay-offs decimate the company and was always assured they wouldn't cut back the financial depts. No, they let attrition take care of that and didn't replace those who left. Folks got overtime again - and some of them probably showed up early, stayed late, neglected themselves and their families in the (probably mistaken) belief that it might mean their jobs were safe.

The competition to stay employed is one (often valid) reason people don't take their vacation time. Their loyalty to the company becomes paramount, but it's not real loyalty. It's fear of losing their job because someone else seems more devoted. I can understand it, but I think it is having a devastating effect on our society. Some of these rude, stressed-out people we sometimes encounter in our daily lives probably need a vacation - and more sleep!

[hammybee]

I forgot to mention that in my former business, we all were required to be gone at least two consecutive weeks at a time, a common requirement in financial services.

The theroy behind this is that if one is cookin the books or otherwise involved in some sort of scim-scam, it would become apparent, while they were away from the office. Guess it did not work well at Enron. :rolleyes:

[mamaofami]

I work for myself and work with children. Until last year, I never took any vacation when school was in session. Then I began to realize that parents cancelled their child's appointment for sports activities, birthday parties, etc. and no one was going to leave me if I also took a week off. So, last February, we went away before the February vacation and came back right as that vacation started. In effect, that gave me 10 more days to be off after we returned. It was so beneficial to my mental health that I am repeating the same thing again this year.

Dh is another matter. He works for himself and the work ethic is so strongly embedded that he never took off even when he was sick. Last year, he worked in the early stages of pneumonia because the doctor said he could. Well, he eventually would up having to stay home for well over two weeks because he became so sick. After being home for two weeks, we left on our February cruise and he had another 10 days to rest up. Surprise, the job and his patients were still there waiting when we returned. Of course, now that he has a partner it's easier to leave and know that everyting is taken care of.

Life is too short and we all need some vacation tuime to recharge our batteries and relationships.

[cactuslady]

Thanks! This is just the thread I need to get me over the cruisecomingup!howcanIleavenow?whyarewespendingsom uchmoney?I'llhavetoworkforevertopayforit angst.

The only other remedy I know is watching the dock lines being cast off and the land disappear astern. :)

[ekerr19]

He just had the WORST week he's ever had as a consultant, working 33 hours straight, having about 10 hours off, then working another 30 hours or so - and then long hours the next few days, but at least with breaks at night for sleep! Since he's definitely earned it, I'd love it if he'd stay home a few extra days and do something he enjoys or just plain rest, but that won't happen. He'll probably work long hours next week, too, and quite possibly put in some time this weekend. It's not healthy, it causes me a lot of worry and stress, but many other working people in many fields are in the same boat - and some of them are working 18-24-30+ hours straight a LOT more often.

Scrumpy -

It sounds like your DH is on the same project as mine!!!! :eek: He flat out told them this morning he will not be working on Sunday - he has worked almost 35 days in a row! He was so happy last Sunday when it snowed and he got to come home early. then he promptly feel asleep watching football. I felt so bad for him.

I get so tired of the mentality that "the job must get done", the contractor has been doing this project annually for the past 6-7 years and it always gets done!

[Tricia724]

Count me as another person who is happy to be retired simply because I am in control of my time and can take a vacation at the drop of a hat.....or is a vacation for a retiree redundant?;)

I loved working, but at the end of my working life, it became more and more difficult to schedule vacations. We had downsized, rightsized, outsourced, consolidated, and eliminated so much that we hardly had any trained people to do the work. I had to find someone to cover for me, and that became increasingly difficult, and sometimes it wasn't worth the hassle. When I retired, I had 6 months of vacation that I had carried over.....the maximum allowed.

I can't say that I felt guilty taking my vacation time, but the pre-planning and post catch-up often made it a less attractive event.

[the2ofus]

Just thought I'd add a giggle here. My Dear Sis worked for a company that showed little appreciation for extra effort or special expertise. Your best effort was never enough. Always expected overtime, begrudged vacation time.

She planned a trip-of-a-lifetime, a 16 day trip to China she had already made a non-refundable down payment. The vacation time had been preapproved by management before she was hired. On the day she booked her flights, she happily announced her flight schedule to her boss and was told that they normally never give two weeks vacation back to back and she'd have to check to see if it could be granted.

She had to prove it had already been approved at time of hire. Then, the week before her trip she was told she must call in daily, FROM CHINA, in case her expertise was needed! She was a peon and not even the VP of this company called in daily when in China on business trips.

Having endured a less than pleasant two years with the company she had quietly searched for a new job. On the day she left for vacation, she told them she wouldn't be back, ever!

Her new job is a perfect fit. She is appreciated and valued. The only down side is that now she is in no hurry to retire and be my travel companion:(

[bermuda triangle]

On a side note.. I'd rather suffer from VDD than a VD.

Laura

[Joanniebop]

We were unfortunately forced into early retirement due to my husband's illness. However this has not stopped us, just slowed us down a bit from travelling especially cruising.

When we worked we had a seasonal business that required our attention 7 days a week from Easter to Christmas.
Had off from December thru March. 3 solid months of chill time, except that we were raising 5 daughters, so really could not get away much.

If you enjoy your work , as we did, then it doesn't become such a mental burden, (for us it was more physical)

For the young people..don't neglect your health or your children and take time to smell the roses as often as possible.

[Scrumpy]

Scrumpy -

It sounds like your DH is on the same project as mine!!!! :eek: He flat out told them this morning he will not be working on Sunday - he has worked almost 35 days in a row! He was so happy last Sunday when it snowed and he got to come home early. then he promptly feel asleep watching football. I felt so bad for him.

I get so tired of the mentality that "the job must get done", the contractor has been doing this project annually for the past 6-7 years and it always gets done!

It's tough seeing them work such long hours, isn't it? DH came home exhausted. Glassy eyed and struggling to stay awake. This has been a messy project and the ironic thing is that when he took it, he was promised a week each month working from home. It hasn't happened. It kills me that even when they know there are issues, sometimes the company doesn't pull together to get ready for a go-live. He got flack about taking the system down on a Friday. It turned out that even three days wasn't enough and they were working through the night last weekend. He got a phone call about 8:30AM yesterday morning; he was still at DFW waiting to fly home since his flight from Baton Rouge was late Thursday night and he missed his connection. Later, they called back and someone said "your wife didn't sound too happy this morning". Gee, wonder why? :rolleyes:

Hope your DH enjoys his time off! He is working very hard. I almost wish for another snow storm when I think how tired my DH is and how much yours (and other folks) probably could use a day off. Mine flies in and out every week. Last winter, he slid into a guard rail on his way to the airport about 4:30AM on a Monday morning. (Too much snow last year!) Luckily, no damage to him. Car wasn't bad either, so he slipped/drove to the airport and got on the plane like it was a normal day. Not this kid. I don't see how he does it.

Susan

[clogaltocruise]

We always worried about work and worried about money. After my husband survived a heart attack and I was diagnosed with a serious auto-immune disease, we realized how important vacations are ... We now work to vacation. We enjoy our work more and love to plan what's next.
Kathy

[jhannah]

While our jobs are important and require our best effort, just use this as food for thought. A long-time hospice worker told me once that never in his career did any patient tell him that they wished they'd spent more time at work!

[HeatherInFlorida]

A fews corporations I worked for insisted we take 2 weeks in a row because they believed one week off was not enough to truly unwind. I agree with them.

I never felt guilty for taking vacation; I worked hard the rest of the year though not the hours people work now. On the other hand we had no internet, no down timel. After all my vacations I always paid for it because no one did my work while I was away other than the basics. The same was true when I was on a Federal jury for 4 months ... I had to go to work at night to get the work done.

Retirement is heaven with so much flexibility. DH had finally retired 6 months ago, but his firm has just asked him to come back, both a good and a bad thing:) . Good part is he calls the shots so we can still go on vacation whenever we want without guilt!

I really believe that any company who makes it difficult for an employee to have significant time off pays for it with that employee suffering job burnout.

[Susie51]

I'm a former school teacher and now I work part time. You've probably heard the saying "3 reasons for being a teacher: June, July, and August"?

For all of you with limited vacation time, take all of it and enjoy.

My current boss takes about 4 vacations a year. She is the owner and trusts me to handle things while she is gone. She needs the break from her 12 hour days and doesn't worry about the business while she is gone.

She is also very considerate of my desire for vacation time. I've been with her for nine years and hope to keep working there until I'm in my seventies. (I'm 50+)

[bermuda triangle]

I am fortunate enough to be able to work as much or little as I want. I schedule clients and can arrange for a substitute when needed.

Noah has the greatest schedule. He works Mon-Sun every other week. This 7 on-7 off is long and grueling one week, but allows for an easy way to take time off. He will work 2 weeks on, 2 off when he wants to go away, which is just great!!

I feel for people who are slaves for 14 days of vacation a year. There must be a better way...

Laura

[ekerr19]

It's tough seeing them work such long hours, isn't it? DH came home exhausted. Glassy eyed and struggling to stay awake. This has been a messy project and the ironic thing is that when he took it, he was promised a week each month working from home. It hasn't happened. It kills me that even when they know there are issues, sometimes the company doesn't pull together to get ready for a go-live. He got flack about taking the system down on a Friday. It turned out that even three days wasn't enough and they were working through the night last weekend. He got a phone call about 8:30AM yesterday morning; he was still at DFW waiting to fly home since his flight from Baton Rouge was late Thursday night and he missed his connection. Later, they called back and someone said "your wife didn't sound too happy this morning". Gee, wonder why? :rolleyes:

Hope your DH enjoys his time off! He is working very hard. I almost wish for another snow storm when I think how tired my DH is and how much yours (and other folks) probably could use a day off. Mine flies in and out every week. Last winter, he slid into a guard rail on his way to the airport about 4:30AM on a Monday morning. (Too much snow last year!) Luckily, no damage to him. Car wasn't bad either, so he slipped/drove to the airport and got on the plane like it was a normal day. Not this kid. I don't see how he does it.

Susan

Susan -

I hope it gets better for you!!! DH works here locally, and we just got word, no more mandatory seven-day work weeks, but then he had to work late tonight... on Bronco night... :confused: Not that the Broncos are having a stellar season or anything, but 14-15 hours a day is just too much.

We are SO ready for our vacation in December - we talk about it everyday and it's just a 7-day cruise!!! :eek: