Holiday allowance in the USA

[loustu]

Hi,
This may seem a very strange question but doe's anyone know where I can find out how much holiday workers in the USA have? We are in the 1st stage of trying to move permanantly out there (ie thinking about it!) and have been told that workers only get 2 weeks hol a year? We have laws in the UK which enforces employers to give a certain amount of days, do the usa have the same? I have googled it and can't find an answer anywhere!
Thanks
Louise

[warpig3]

Don't know for sure Louise but when I was last there I met an american family and the father said he only had two weeks a year, I was gobsmacked!

[loustu]

Everyone I ask mentions 2 weeks. Apparently americans don't travel very much so there is no need for holiday!
Maybe US of A isn't the place for us!!

[Clanad]

There really are no governmental requirements for granting of what is usually called 'vacation days' by an employer here. The standard is probably 1 week for the first year or so of employment, moving up to two weeks and then three weeks after say, 10 years of service. This varies greatly, but the unionized trades and businesses are more evenly matched. Keep in mind there are an additional 10 national holidays that almost all employers give as well, though they are not required to.

[warpig3]

I know what you mean loustu (sorry for calling you louise!) I think the problem is that when you are over there on a holiday you have money to spend, no worries to think about, lots of places to see and everyting is new and exciting. I would assume that this is not how it would be if you lived there. Unless people have a great salary they may end up working two or even three jobs to make ends meet.

Your best bet would be to look around the site for BBWCHATT, ALLO, or Clanad, they are americans and could give you proper answers to your questions. Actually I will e-mail BBW and direct her to your question. She may not reply immediately because of the time difference but she will be very helpful.

[Bev2007]

I support clanads reply, I work alot with the US and that reply reflects my experience. You'd be lucky to get 10 days when new to the job...

[warpig3]

Oops, there you go!

[loustu]

Thanks Clanad, I forgot about national holidays. My partner is hopefully transferring through General Mills so being a large international company I assume they will give at least a week holiday(hopefully!) We are waiting for information from them so will know soon hopefully. I think we are spoilt in the UK, I currently have 30 days!!!

[loustu]

Thanks for all your help, you guys are brilliant. I don't mind being called Louise by the way warpig3, feel free to call me what you like (within reason!)

I think this is a case of writing out pro's and con's. I feel the move would suit my children better, we are off on holiday in september to tour round Minnesota.

Thanks for all your help.
Louise x

[BBWCHATT]

Loustu - Clanad gave you all the information you really need I think.

Normally the larger companies - like General Mills - give longer vacations with length of employment. Some small companies don't give any paid vacations at all - but will usually allow an employee to take unpaid time off - but will usually give you a couple of paid days off in November for Thanksgiving and in December for Christmas.

As Clanad says, we don't have any laws that require paid vacations.

This will tell you what the typical holidays are in the US:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_holidays

I think the thing about living in the USA is that we are such a diverse country, there is so much to see and do here, we don't do as much traveling as the rest of the world. And of course you know we are such an arrogant country that a lot of us think we could never go anywhere else that would be better than here:)

While we have pros and cons like any other country - I think if you move here with an open mind, you just might find that you really enjoy it!!!

[auntiebertie]

Two weeks is the norm - but we just met someone on our last holiday who had worked at his place for so long he had built up to 4 weeks. The downside was that his office closed down totally over Christmas and New Year so he was forced to take two weeks of his vacation at this time - whether he wanted to or not!!!

In addition to this 2 weeks you also get a load of national holidays - like July 4, ThanksGiving, Memorial Day, Presidents day - so I think this is another 10 days in total.

So this is why less than 25% of Americans have passports [until the new rules kick in!] - they don't have the time to go anywhere!!!
Go over there on a UK ex-pat contract and keep your UK holiday allowance!

[loustu]

thanks auntiebertie, my mother in law mentioned the ex pat contract thing. We are still waiting for info to be sent from General Mills, technically in the UK he works for nestle, but this is owned by General Mills so not sure if that makes a difference.
There are so many possibiltys, my fingers are crossed that it all goe's smoothly...!

[Clanad]

I'd respectfully disagree with auntbertie re: the reason for lack of Passports among Americans is that the country is so huge compared to Europe and certainly the U.K. that one simply doesn't need one. it's roughly 1800 miles north to south and 2500 miles east to west with everything in between... Welcome to the U.S. by the way.
Minnesota has the State motto of "the Land of 10,000 Lakes"... actually, there's many more than that...

[salsadancer]

Don't know about USA but in Canada 2weeks at first. I get 20 days, after working 10 yrs. Unionized get more hols. I hear Italians get 42 days a year!

[BBWCHATT]

Loustu - this is the official US Chamber of Commerce website - giving vacation advice to businesses:

http://www.uschamber.com/sb/business/P05/P05_4 380.asp