Worst countries for paid time off

1. The United States of America – no days

Despite its advanced economy, America is one of the few nations that does not guarantee its workers any paid time to chill. Although many employers grant some of their employees paid holiday time, no specific law sets out a legal minimum amount of vacation time that employees should be entitled to. Because of this, it is thought that up to a quarter of American’s get no paid time off, which is very unfair.

2. Canada – 19 days

The basic entitlement is 10 days of paid holiday, with nine public holidays which are also paid for. After five consecutive years with the same employer, the entitlement increases to three weeks of vacation and then after 10 years, employees working in Canada are entitled to four whole weeks off. Employee loyalty seems to pay off in Canada!

3. Switzerland – 24 days

Workers in Switzerland can expect four paid public holidays, alongside their 20 days of annual leave. Some Swiss companies also offer an extra week of vacation to employees who have worked at a company for several years.

4. Japan – 25 days

Most employers in Japan pay their employees for their time during the 15 public holidays that occur throughout the year. In addition to that, workers are guaranteed 10 days off paid for vacation annually. In some Japanese workplaces, an employee will not take their full annual entitlement, because they fear they will let down or inconvenience colleagues. Seniority in a company also plays a part in paid vacation time, employees sometimes gain another day of paid time off, per year of employment, up to a maximum of 20 days annually.