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How much vacation do you take?
- Thread starter ski diva
- Start date
I don't have paid vacations. All my vacations are no pay leaves.
I try to take at least 2 weeks off each year. At most no more than 4 weeks volunteerily, so not to get put in the poors house. Although sometimes I end up with involunteery time off, which I had to work extra to make up for... :(
Ski Diva, I think you might have phrased the question incorrectly. I bet many here take most of their vacation in WINTER instead.
Anyway, I do. Maybe one of 3 years I would take a summer vacation.
And that's for someone who have a ton of summer hobbies: road biking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, white water kayaking, hiking and backpacking...
I can do all those on weekends in the northeast, while weekend skiing in the northeast sucks compare to skiing in the REAL mountains out west. Hence, the mostly winter vacations.
Working for yourself, vacations are something that can and cannot be planned. I try to plan 1 week for skiing in the winter. If I take a course great, or a group trip. Then I can't get out of it without financial penalty. We close for Christmas so there is good part of a week. I usually take the CSIA clinic in December so there's another 3 1/2 days for sure. Again its going to cost me to cancel. Other than those times and stat holidays, I try to get in time when we're slow. Right now I'm looking at the short week after our Civic holiday weekend in August. But, it depends on the situation at the office.
And as far as the article, I completely agree with what is said. Also it is proven that middle to upper management women on maternity leave are more likely to get calls from the workplace.
So if you go on vacation leave the crackberry at home, take a personal cell phone that the office doesn't know the number and enjoy your rest!
And as far as the article, I completely agree with what is said. Also it is proven that middle to upper management women on maternity leave are more likely to get calls from the workplace.
So if you go on vacation leave the crackberry at home, take a personal cell phone that the office doesn't know the number and enjoy your rest!
Robyn
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I am very fortunate that I work for a company that is based in Europe so while we don't get as much as our European counterparts we do get a significant amount. The first year of employement here we get 10 days plus 3 personal days and 6 days and our birthday. The second year we get 15 days plus the extras and then every year after that we add an additional day. I'm in my second year so from September 11 of 2007 through September 10 of 2008 I get 15 days but thankfully I can roll them over because I haven't managed to take all of them. I will be taking 4 days off over the Christmas holidays since the way the days work out this year I can take those 4 days and have from Christmas Eve through January 4th off. I won't know what to do with myself for 12 days. Oh, wait, yes I will, I'll SKI!!!!!! Then I'm taking the full week of the Diva Summit off as well. Other than that I like to try to take a few random days off through the season for skiing and some time in the spring and summer as well.
Kimmyt
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I get 3 paid weeks vacation, and can carry over 5 days. So I was a good girl the first year and now I can take my full 3 weeks vacation and still carryover up to 5 days as 'emergency' which I'll probably be using next year when i take my honeymoon.
I also get 1 week from Xmas to New Years when our company shuts down, so I take on avg 4 weeks of vacation a year. Usually 1-2 weeks of this is in the winter, and the rest of the 2 weeks is spread over spring/summer/fall with the majority being in spring/fall for climbing trips. This year I'm taking an unheard-of straight 1-week in August to go to a friend's wedding in Portland, so that'll be a change of pace.
K.
I also get 1 week from Xmas to New Years when our company shuts down, so I take on avg 4 weeks of vacation a year. Usually 1-2 weeks of this is in the winter, and the rest of the 2 weeks is spread over spring/summer/fall with the majority being in spring/fall for climbing trips. This year I'm taking an unheard-of straight 1-week in August to go to a friend's wedding in Portland, so that'll be a change of pace.
K.
LilaBear
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm one of the lucky Europeans who has 25 days a year, but we don't get personal business days and fewer public holidays.
Now England is a wonderful and beautiful country, but not renowned for it's reliable summer weather. The British tradition is to take a vacation to a sunny destination for two weeks each summer, if you hate the beach you take an activity holiday. Those who can afford it also take a one week winter break - the most popular being skiing.
If you have never taken a two week long vacation you must really try it. It takes the usual 3 days to wind down from work angst, but you stay wound down for the next 10 days, and you don't do the usual wind back up again in anticipation of the return to workload backlog - cos you are so mellow and chilled you have forgotten all about it. You stay mellow for about 2 days upon your return (used to be another week - but not in the current office environment). It makes a huge difference.
I have never managed to take 25 days vacation in any year. I would choose to take a ski holiday over a summer vacation every single time. My only real regret about being single is finding someone to go away with who wants to do the same thing and is good company - much easier when you can pick the destination, make the bookings and take along someone who is already familiar with your annoying habits and vice versa, lol!
Now England is a wonderful and beautiful country, but not renowned for it's reliable summer weather. The British tradition is to take a vacation to a sunny destination for two weeks each summer, if you hate the beach you take an activity holiday. Those who can afford it also take a one week winter break - the most popular being skiing.
If you have never taken a two week long vacation you must really try it. It takes the usual 3 days to wind down from work angst, but you stay wound down for the next 10 days, and you don't do the usual wind back up again in anticipation of the return to workload backlog - cos you are so mellow and chilled you have forgotten all about it. You stay mellow for about 2 days upon your return (used to be another week - but not in the current office environment). It makes a huge difference.
I have never managed to take 25 days vacation in any year. I would choose to take a ski holiday over a summer vacation every single time. My only real regret about being single is finding someone to go away with who wants to do the same thing and is good company - much easier when you can pick the destination, make the bookings and take along someone who is already familiar with your annoying habits and vice versa, lol!
SouthernSkier
Certified Ski Diva
I get 25 days of vacation, plus 12 holidays, 4-5 of which are "personal choice" holidays that I can treat like vacation days. I can work 4 1/2 day work weeks - if I get at least 40 hours of work done in 4 1/2 days, I can take the 1/2 day off. I can also combine a 4 1/2 day work weeks with 1/2 day of vacation, effectively working 36 hours in 4 days and taking a 3 day weekend. This lets me stretch my vacation even further.
I tend to spread my vacation around during the year. I normally take Thanksgiving week off, and two weeks around Christmas. I take a week-long trip in the Winter and one in the Summer and/or Fall. The rest of the days get spread around in smaller chunks (e.g., to take a day trip to go skiing in mid-week).
I tend to spread my vacation around during the year. I normally take Thanksgiving week off, and two weeks around Christmas. I take a week-long trip in the Winter and one in the Summer and/or Fall. The rest of the days get spread around in smaller chunks (e.g., to take a day trip to go skiing in mid-week).
Consuela
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I have a traditional job.. I accrue vacation bi-weekly and can keep up to 6 weeks in my vacation bank before I stop accruing. So, if I hog it too much, it becomes a "use it or lose it" situation.
I use between 2 - 5 weeks a year, depending on work schedules, how much I have in the bank, etc, etc. I spread it out throughout the year. Try to take a week sometime in the summer (May - Sept), a few days for our ski-versary, a few Fridays for long weekends, and then there is a week for the annual visit to the in-laws.
I use between 2 - 5 weeks a year, depending on work schedules, how much I have in the bank, etc, etc. I spread it out throughout the year. Try to take a week sometime in the summer (May - Sept), a few days for our ski-versary, a few Fridays for long weekends, and then there is a week for the annual visit to the in-laws.
I actually take all my vacation in summer. I don't have to travel to go skiing so unless we go on a ski trip, which is a rarity, there's no need to waste vacation days.
But I get 2 weeks a year and split it up - a week long trip is long for me - most of it gets used to create long weekends.
But I get 2 weeks a year and split it up - a week long trip is long for me - most of it gets used to create long weekends.
Lola
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I find myself right now in dire need of a vacation! I have been working way too hard.
I am very fortunate, however. I work for a non-profit and since I have been there 10+ years, I get 30 PTO (paid time off) days per year to use for vacation, sick, etc. So that totals about 6 weeks, and the max I can carry over is 4 weeks. My carry over bank is full, so I have to take the 6 weeks each year because we have a 'use it or loose it' policy.
That being said, I always take at least one week in the winter as a ski week vacation with the family (and the divas!). I rarely take vacation in the summer, as many of my co-workers are off then, and I am usually the one who is in the office during the summer.
However, I am taking some significant time off in August as I am suffering from burnout and we have family events planned this year with my grandmother's 90th birthday party! (Grandma would be Mr. Lilgeorg's mother).
It's interesting though, we work with people around the world and most of them think Americans work too much. We consistently get comments to that effect when we are trying to schedule meetings and conference calls. So what do they know that we don't know?
I am very fortunate, however. I work for a non-profit and since I have been there 10+ years, I get 30 PTO (paid time off) days per year to use for vacation, sick, etc. So that totals about 6 weeks, and the max I can carry over is 4 weeks. My carry over bank is full, so I have to take the 6 weeks each year because we have a 'use it or loose it' policy.
That being said, I always take at least one week in the winter as a ski week vacation with the family (and the divas!). I rarely take vacation in the summer, as many of my co-workers are off then, and I am usually the one who is in the office during the summer.
However, I am taking some significant time off in August as I am suffering from burnout and we have family events planned this year with my grandmother's 90th birthday party! (Grandma would be Mr. Lilgeorg's mother).
It's interesting though, we work with people around the world and most of them think Americans work too much. We consistently get comments to that effect when we are trying to schedule meetings and conference calls. So what do they know that we don't know?
I had the privelage of taking a tremendous honeymoon. Two weeks in Hawaii, followed by a one week vacation in Daytona for Bike Week the following year. After that, getting my DH to go anywhere for more than a weekend + 1 day, was unimaginable.
After getting more involved on Epic and seeing the tremendous trip reports, I ached for a vacation. I looked at my husband and saw a man who was aging at a rate that neither of us were happy with.
Picture it, September 25, 2007. My Birthday. I begged my husband to give me a commitment for a vacation to ski Colorado. Trust me, he was not happy about it, but knew it was vital to me/us.
He went for two long weekends a Full 6 days away, 4 days of skiing! This was a huge step for him, and we're not looking back.
My plans for 2008-09 include 2 trips with DH, 2 ESA's, and a bump camp at Mary Jane.
I have to thank a few Divas and Bears for the carrots they dangled. I Bit!
After getting more involved on Epic and seeing the tremendous trip reports, I ached for a vacation. I looked at my husband and saw a man who was aging at a rate that neither of us were happy with.
Picture it, September 25, 2007. My Birthday. I begged my husband to give me a commitment for a vacation to ski Colorado. Trust me, he was not happy about it, but knew it was vital to me/us.
He went for two long weekends a Full 6 days away, 4 days of skiing! This was a huge step for him, and we're not looking back.
My plans for 2008-09 include 2 trips with DH, 2 ESA's, and a bump camp at Mary Jane.
I have to thank a few Divas and Bears for the carrots they dangled. I Bit!
astridhj
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm not sure if I count having the job I have. When I used to work in an office I had 25 days off a year + bank holidays. I never managed to use them all.
Now I'm working 134 days a year, getting paid for 365 days, so I travel a lot more than I used to. This year I've been on a three week trip in June, plus skiing trips earlier in the year. Later in the year I'm planning traveling around Norway plus some skiing. But mostly I'm going to save up money for my 6-7 week skiing trip in February in Colorado.
What can I say, I just love my job :-)
Now I'm working 134 days a year, getting paid for 365 days, so I travel a lot more than I used to. This year I've been on a three week trip in June, plus skiing trips earlier in the year. Later in the year I'm planning traveling around Norway plus some skiing. But mostly I'm going to save up money for my 6-7 week skiing trip in February in Colorado.
What can I say, I just love my job :-)
sibhusky
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I don't consider myself employed these days. I used to work for IBM and I had five weeks vacation a year. Now I work part time, two days a week in winter, four days a week in summer. If I need time I just tell them I can't work.
Of course, now I'm poor and can't buy toys.
Of course, now I'm poor and can't buy toys.
snowski/swimmouse
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
As a state employee, I got 30 personal leave days/yr +11 or12 holidays. Once I'd banked that maximum carry over days, I took every last one of them, almost all either skiing or to visit family, since all of my family live at least a ten hour's drive from here. Plus, I'd work a 2 week disaster assignment for Red Cross, usually the biggest hurricane of the year. My trips to family in Illinois are usually each August. And I've always gone to my parents for Christmas + Easter and/or Thanksgiving. I always saved 5 days for emergencies and then would use them for the best snow days the first month of ski season, which is the best time in NC.
We can't carry any time over, so I use all of them - every year. Religiously. There's no way I'm losing any vacataion time, even if we don't go anywhere!
Right now I have four weeks + 2 personal days. In three more years I'll get five weeks, which is the max for our company.
And I usually spread them out through the year. We typically take several four day weekends to ski in Canada, but we only go on a big trip every other year or so. I'd like to add a week of skiing to our every year vacations, but probably can't do that until the house is paid for.
And, every other year we'll take a big trip (England, France, Australia, something far away) and when we do that we'll take 2+ weeks at a time, which is great.
Right now I have four weeks + 2 personal days. In three more years I'll get five weeks, which is the max for our company.
And I usually spread them out through the year. We typically take several four day weekends to ski in Canada, but we only go on a big trip every other year or so. I'd like to add a week of skiing to our every year vacations, but probably can't do that until the house is paid for.
And, every other year we'll take a big trip (England, France, Australia, something far away) and when we do that we'll take 2+ weeks at a time, which is great.
Bravosarah
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
For my vacation I take a two week ski vacation and 1 week of summer fun at the cottage. I have three weeks + 2 float days.
I also accumulate a number of lieu days that I earn in the summer and take in the winter, so that I can have Mondays & Tuesdays off throughout the ski season.
I also accumulate a number of lieu days that I earn in the summer and take in the winter, so that I can have Mondays & Tuesdays off throughout the ski season.
lynseyf
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I couldn't survive with only 2 weeks holidays a year! I get 6 weeks plus 9 days public holiday which I can take anytime, I have to take Christmas and New Year off as I work for a University and they close the building then so I have 2 weeks then and 6 weeks off during the rest of the year. The last 2 years I have taken 3 weeks off each winter to go skiing ( 1 x 1 week and 1 x 2 week) and the rest as days throughout the year, usually long weekends.
I always take all my holiday, not taking them is like giving yourself a paycut!! In the UK the minimum is 24 days but most people in a job paying more than minimum wage would get minimum 20 days plus 8 or 9 public days which they may or may not be able to take as they want.
I always take all my holiday, not taking them is like giving yourself a paycut!! In the UK the minimum is 24 days but most people in a job paying more than minimum wage would get minimum 20 days plus 8 or 9 public days which they may or may not be able to take as they want.
Solincia
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My job is open 362 days a year, so my only holidays off are Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving....
With that being said, I get 10 days vacation time, 5 sick days, and 3 floating holidays, all paid.
Fortunately though, if I need more time, I can take my "days off" for the week whenever I want--I do the schedule. Currently I'm off for 4 days straight right now, combining 2 off days with 1 personal day with another day off, then I'm off another day later this week. So it's not hard to work around without having to use all of my PTO.
It's not too hard to work around, but unfortunately, I do miss having weekends off. September will be hard as I'm going to need two saturdays off in a row, and I don't know if I can make that fly....
With that being said, I get 10 days vacation time, 5 sick days, and 3 floating holidays, all paid.
Fortunately though, if I need more time, I can take my "days off" for the week whenever I want--I do the schedule. Currently I'm off for 4 days straight right now, combining 2 off days with 1 personal day with another day off, then I'm off another day later this week. So it's not hard to work around without having to use all of my PTO.
It's not too hard to work around, but unfortunately, I do miss having weekends off. September will be hard as I'm going to need two saturdays off in a row, and I don't know if I can make that fly....
