Working Canadians dream of European-length vacations

Try to remember that these Europeans that are enjoying 25 - 30 vacation days are also the ones with countries in terrible financial problems. Could this be part of the problem ??

The People at Expedia think we should get more vacation time???
WHAT A SHOCK!!
What's next? An article about how my dealership thinks I should get my car serviced there more often?
If you have a good job that pays well and gives you 3 weeks of vacation, you should thank your lucky stars right now. I don't think people realize what is going on in all the world markets right now

@ Ray Lunn ; I couldn't agree more. That being said, if the oportunity was given, I certainly would opt for it. Several years ago, I had the oportunity to utilise all my banked days and was off for 5 weeks straight. It was the most relaxing and rewarding holiday I had since I started working as an adult. Incidentally, the months following were the most productive I ever had.

Germany is the one bailing everyone else out and they have the best employee benefits of just about everyone.

And Canada is not in a terrible financial predicament? The price of everything is going up, however, we see are subject to wage freezes!

I agree with Lou. We NEED to take that time off as it does affect our productivity! this is why so many other countries encourage their employees to do so. A stressed out over tired employee does not do well. Lets face it we have a hectic life style now a days in North America and not just in the work place. Myself if I had the opportunity As well as over the past years of my working life I would most certainly welcome 4-6 weeks vacation. It would not only give a needed re-energise for work but would allow to reconnect better with my family. When we are young we take so much for granted that it will all be there. Well you know it isn't and we then look back and see what we missed!
Kudoos to you Lou!

Canadians complain about everything. They never seem satisfied nor happy.

I have been working for over 40 years and started a new job 4 1/2 years ago, with a non-negotiable 2 weeks vacation time. It has been the longest years of my life. I think this country is really doing a disservice to Canadaians by not making three weeks vacation the minimum.

The last time I checked Germany was doing alright and they receive 30 days of vacation. It's not the fault of the everyday hard working person in Europe that caused the European markets to crash except for Greece, its the European Union not having a proper structure in place to deal with corruption in the countries government offices and banks. The citizens in Europe are just as hard working as us (minus Greece & Spain) but there mentality is they work to live where for the majority of north americans we live to work. Have you ever seen the health and lifestyle of a European, they are far more relaxed, happier and healthier than North Americans. In the end is it worth working this hard and making the sacrifices we do that harm our families and our health?

Hey Sandra.Canadians have the right to "complain" because we support half the planet with give outs and money and military support ! Except for the leeches on the system(they know who they are!)the people I know are all working thier asses off.And most stressed to the max while they are doing it.So,what's your story Sandra Viegas? Are you a princess re-located here from a rich Arab family or are you hiding out here from some thirld world country living the good life without your green card? So go ahead and defend yourself Sandra! That's what hard working Canadians do!!

2 weeks a year, no sick days, it’s a scam of private businesses and their owners taking advantage of the hardest working class,
It’s time for the government to step up and make this a 3 weeks minimum holiday,
This is not going to crash our country, on contrary it will help us to become better and more efficient workers,

I agree Brad P.They have far less heart disease/stroke and are all around happier people.When I see people are eating fast food all the time because they are always rushing to work/babysitter/school,etc.It is no wonder so many are sick,stressed,and tired all the time.When do you get a break. 2 weeks per year is a joke.

Part of the reason that many people in Canada don't take all thier mandated holiday time is that employers take a dim view of time off for the most part. Employers seem to want much more for less these days. The bottom line demands it they say. Employers may not say it openly but many people would find they'd lose thier jobs if they took all the time off that was owing to them or if thier staff asked for a few extra holidays off. Even though its been proven that more time off wouild improve productivity and decrease sick days taken.
Another reason people don't take time off is because thier employers will let them work through thier vacations and just pay them the vacation pay on top so they can earn a few more dollars to make up the extra money people need so they don't have to offer in a proper raise.
People are more healthy and relaxed and productive when they get the extra time. That would actually make the company more profitable. More time off would be a great benefit to our economy since it would also provide many more temporary jobs for those who have skills and do not want or need to work full time. It would provide much needed work for those out of work looking for work to fill in until they secure a job.
Definately would be a major benefit for workers and employers in this country.
Employees would feel more respected and appreciated and companies would get healthier happier more productive workers.
Think about it. How often do you hear the comments, I just can't afford a vacation, sorry dear we can't get away this year, its just too busy at work, or Id lose my job if I took time off. The boss would fire me thinking I'm not loyal etc etc.
More than ever in these times people need to destress and have downtime.

The other difference between Canada and Germany is that Germany has the highest productivity rates in the world where Canada has one of the lowest in the industrialized world. Meaning Germany gets more done in less time than us proving they deserve the extra time off.

In the places I've worked the biggest complainers about not enough vacation time are the laziest people in the office. If they did make 3 week or higher vacations mandatory as someone are demanding our productivity would rival 3rd world countries and government employees.

You have to earn rewards not demand it.

I had been getting 47 days paid vacation days per year. This was quite sufficient for me. I have just been diagnosed with cancer, so now I am considering reduced work. My company is fully on board with this, with no reduction in income.

Sprocket, please be aware of the definition of productivity because it is a function of a number of things AND not just human output. The equation has many inputs in cluding the cost of capitalfor one. You may want to check that out before issuing blanket statements.

We need more time off i'm about to pop with two weeks a year in Northern ontario, it blows

China good long term bet for dream vacation or emigration..... ?

Maybe the government should be investigating the corporate aholes who are crying that they can't hire enough qualified workers to fill their company's needs,when the reality is they are actually just not hiring workers so they can manipulate the government into believing that it would be advantageous for our country to fill with foreign workers. The corporates if they get their way will bring in low payed foreigners then turn around and drive our ALREADY diminished wages into the ground yet take away HUGE profits yet keep saying that they are not making any .perfect example...Catalyst Paper Corp. they forced the workers to take more than a 12% wage cut ..coincidentally the amount equated to exactly the same as the Huge Bonuses that they Gave to their Top 13 corporate dicks.they were in ccaa and came out of it but within less than a year after their supposed restructuringto make the place "Viable" they are back into the same financial situation or worse than when they went into the CCAA. and now they once again are trying to "reduce their costs..for what? so they can take more Huge bonuses at the top and lay off more canadian workers? that is terrorism in a corporate fashion yet apparently it is allowed to happen with this Harper government!

Government have to stop to replace Canadian people. Stop lay of Canadian workers and replace them with new emigrants in times of recession. Harper Government have to stop to replace our people with new emigrants.