Take a Break

by Maria F. Aldana — March 26, 2008

According to a survey done for Expedia.com, more than one-third of the country's working adults aged 18 and up chose not to take all of their allotted vacation time last year. We are known to be taking less vacation time each year compared with other countries. While countries in the European Union get 4 weeks of paid vacation by law, the United States is one of the only modern countries without vacation time minimums mandated by law. But if this law were enacted in the U.S., would Americans really take advantage of it? An estimated 51 million Americans will not use all their vacation days this year.

A vacation is a great time to relax and free your mind from the daily routine, and it gives you a chance to explore the world. Time off gives us a chance to take a break from our computers and emails, and improves our overall work performance. According to Wallace Huffman, a professor of labor economics at Iowa State University, "Productivity could increase by up to 60 percent for employees in the month or two following a good vacation a week or two long."

A survey from the CS Monitor reveals Americans' reasons/excuses for skipping vacation:

• Can't afford a get away
• Too tired to plan a vacation
• Want to save vacation time for emergencies
• Don't want to return to a heavy workload
• Find coordinating schedules with a spouse or friend too burdensome
• They take their cues from those around them (their bosses and co-workers aren't taking vacations, so maybe they shouldn't)

Don't miss out on a chance to get away for even a day or two - plan a vacation today!