Holidays and stuff

[Cymrusaint]

mqstout Wrote:3 weeks 2 days per year... And it started at 2/2, but went to 3/2 after 5 years at the same place. Those are days off I can schedule any time. (The extra "2" are those that can be taken that don't need to be scheduled in advance.) Paid. However, they don't ever just magically reset at a given time. The accrue at the rate of 1.25 days off per month; and I can never save more than 15 days at a time.

I also get 10 "standard" holidays per year off that the place is closed. (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, New Years Eve and Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day). Paid.

Sick time, I'm allowed one day per month, that, if unused, accrues up to a maximum of 120 days. (Paid.) Using more than 3 at a time requires a doctor's excuse. If you're sick more than this allotment, the US federal FMLA law kicks in, and you can, with doctor's approval, take off 12 weeks of unpaid time per year.

And! I have better time off than most people (I work at a University)... I know plenty of people who have one "paid time off" pool that is used for both sick AND vacation time. Get sick, lose your vacation.

Blimey, they seem to be a bit tight, on the old sick pay over there in the States. I had 4 weeks off last year, my blood pressure was high, and the doctors couldn't, get it to come down. It was great, I was off on full pay and didn't feel ill. I had loads of tests, and ended up on two tablets a day, for the rest of my life, and it didn't, and doesn't cost me a penny.
I know the NHS has had a bit of a slating over there in the States recently. But, as someone who works for it, and has been a patient I wouldn't swap it.