This article is on vacation as time off. For the movie, see National Lampoon's Vacation. For the Go Go's album/song see Vacation (album)
Vacation is a term used in North America to describe time away from work or school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip away from home. In the rest of the English-speaking world the word "holiday" is used. In Canada both terms are widely used. The French term is similar to the American English: "Les Vacances". The term derives from the fact that, in the past, upper-class families would literally move to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant.
Most countries around the world have labour laws mandating a certain number of days of time off per year to be given to a worker. In Canada the legal minimum is two weeks, in most of Europe the limit is significantly higher. Many American companies give only one week, and then frequently only after completion of a year of employment.
In modern employment practice, vacation days are usually coupled with sick time , official holidays, and sometimes personal days.
Vacation Destinations
Vacation Destinations can vary from something as simple as staying at a local hotel to sailing around the world. The destinations also will vary by country. Some type of destinations include:
Minimal vacation time around the world
| Country
| legally required
|
| Argentina
| 14 calendar days
|
| Australia
| Not required, but 4 weeks is standard
|
| Belgium
| 20 days, premium pay
|
| Bulgaria
| 20 business days
|
| Canada
| 2 weeks, determined by provincial law
|
| Chile
| 15 working days
|
| China
| Not required
|
| Czech Republic
| 4 weeks
|
| European Union
| 4 weeks, more in some countries
|
| France
| 5 weeks
|
| Hong Kong
| 7 days
|
| Hungary
| 20 work days
|
| Israel
| 14 days
|
| Japan
| including sick leave: 10 days paid time off;
officially, five weeks (in reaction to the karoshi problem)
|
| Mexico
| 1 week
|
| Netherlands
| 2 weeks
|
| Puerto Rico
| 15 days
|
| Saudi Arabia
| 15 days
|
| Singapore
| 7 days
|
| South Africa
| 21 consecutive days
|
| South Korea
| 10 working days
|
| Spain
| 30 calendar days
|
| Sweden
| 5 weeks
|
| Switzerland
| 4 weeks
|
| Taiwan
| 7 days
|
| Turkey
| 12 work days
|
| Ukraine
| 24 calendar days
|
| United States
| Not required
|
| Venezuela
| 15 paid days
|
See also
External Links
Last updated: 10-19-2005 07:36:10
