How much Vacation time is perfect for you?

4 weeks a year is good for me, I rarely take more than a week at a time. The big problem for me has always been that it is expensive to go somewhere special for two weeks.

The big thing for me is being able to take a day or two here and there. I took a Friday and a Monday last month for a trip cross country which was great, and two weeks later a Friday, Monday, Tuesday for a trip to Colorado and Moab. Later this month I will take two days after the holiday for a five day vacation down to Big Sur.

At this point I could use a year

@zenvelo I can understand that. So for you it seems like 4 weeks is great, but traveling is just expensive. I can definitely understand that.
@ARE_you_kidding_me But realistically would you really want a year? Would you get bored or want a change of pace? Do you think there’s a number of weeks that would be just right to have off?

From what I hear the companies that offer unlimited vacations mean that you have to be constantly worrying about deadlines and projects. You can take time off but there is no real time to take it.

I have it very lucky. I work three days a week at a college during term time, have a month off in the winter and three months in the summer. Of course, this job is not my main source of income but it is pretty perfect.

That’s very true. Just because someone has unlimited vacation doesn’t mean that they can take it. That schedule does sound awesome! So what would you say would be the “sweet spot” or perfect amount of time off for the main career/main source of income?

I think 4 – 6 weeks is pretty perfect but not many people in the States get that. In Europe, my son has six weeks vacation which is standard there.

As much as possible. I currently have 5-weeks Paid Time Off (PTO).

Generally, 2-weeks gets used for when my daughter is sick. 2-weeks I need for school. And 1-week I take off around the holidays in December.

If I’m sick I go to work.

@janbb That is awesome! I have some friends who plan on leaving the US and working in Europe. I’ve heard that the 4–6 range is good for a lot of people.
@cookieman If you had unlimited vacation would you still probably take around 5 weeks?

In an ideal world where you could take time off regardless of projects and deadlines how many weeks would you realistically take?

A year to do something like prepare, hike and recover from the appalachian trail, yes.

I would love to have six weeks (30 days) but am okay with the four weeks that I have now.

@RedKnight: I’d like 2 more weeks to actually go on vacation somewhere.

I get six weeks but can buy back more. I didn’t do that this year but will next to give me seven weeks.

So now I’m sensing 4 week minimum(for happiness), but around 6–7 weeks is the true sweet spot for ultimate happiness? Seems like I have a while to go before I get to that point!

I have four weeks plus public holidays and like @flutherother, I can buy more time. We also get long service leave (three months off) after 10 years work. I’ve got mine built up and can take it if I want. I’m saving it for when I can really have a long trip away. Given I invariably have to work and respond to emails during my holidays (reasons would require a long story – but I do), right now I’d love about three months off!

@Earthbound_Misfit Three months sounds awesome! Would you say you are generally happy with four though? Do you buy more often?

Also, how do you all feel about rolling time over. I start with 15, but can rollover 10. Do you all suggest saving up time to use a lot more in the future. Or just taking as needed. I guess I’m pretty ahead of myself since I have yet to start. I’m hoping I love it so much that I don’t feel a huge pressure or need to take off!

I have a weird job and work from home a lot so four weeks really is enough. I don’t work regular hours. I work a lot of hours, but with a great deal of flexibility. However, I like to travel and if we’re going on an overseas trip, which costs a lot, I prefer to go for a longer period (say four weeks) to make the most of it.

I think you should think about what you want to do in your holidays. Do you want to travel? Just relax at home? That will determine what you do with your leave. I like to take long weekends and I often pick a weekend with a public holiday attached so I can have a few days away. That’s a great refresher. I don’t really want to take a lot of time off to sit at home normally.

By all means save up your holidays. However, you can get burned out if you don’t take breaks. It’s great that you love your work, but it’s not a bad idea to take a bit of a break and do something else every now and then. You come back refreshed.

@Earthbound_Misfit Curious anout what you do?

why is it in America you hardly get any holidays… IT is really sad..

In most countries outside the US it is at least a month.

When I lived in the UK we were entitled to 1 month at least. The more senior you were a couple more days were added here and there.

IT is the life. You get to see so much of the world. Your life is very balanced.

I feel sorry for you guys.

Lack of holidays is actually a form of communism/dictatorship..

If you minimise the amount of time your citizens can spend abroad, it is easier to control their minds haha.

IN America you need to start some kind of revolution and change that. It isn’t normal.

The pound is worth more than the dollar and people work less there. Think about it hahah

11 Months would be choice. :)

I work for the government so we get a good amount. 2 weeks the first year plus 12 holidays, 12 sick days and 5 personal days. 3 weeks the 2nd year plus 12 holidays, 12 sick days and 5 personal days. After a long long time, like I’ve got, it’s 4 weeks plus 12 holidays, 12 sick days and 5 personal days.

To provide a comparison of leave in Australia.

Full-time permanent staff in Australia get a minimum of four weeks annual leave, plus public holidays (which equal 11 in Queensland). Each state has different public holidays but they are around 10–12.

Permanent/full time employees get 10 days paid sick/carer’s leave per year which accrue. Plus there are allowances to take unpaid sick/carer’s leave if required.

Permanent full-time employees also get long-service leave. I get 12 weeks after 10 years of service. You have to work for the organisation for seven years for this to become available at a pro-rata rate.

Employees can take up to 12 months off when they have a baby – maternal or paternal leave. This includes 18 weeks paid-parental leave but this is likely to change because of legislation being proposed by this government. Some employees ALSO get paid-parental leave from their employer in addition to the government payment.

There is also access to compassionate leave/leave due to injury at work etc.

Just to add cream on the top, we get a 17% loading on top of our normal pay when we’re on holiday. Cos we need extra spending money right?

@Earthbound_Misfit That sounds amazing