Are there Amercian businesses that give their employees long breaks at Christmas time?

Question

Hi!
I discovered that in some places in the world people are given nice long breaks from around the 21st of December to the 2nd of January.

It seems to me that one of the worst things about that season of the year is that there is no time to relax and enjoy life. Maybe a great deal of the tension would be lifted if people had a decent break from work.

The next thing: how to get this to become a national policy?
I think we deserve it!

Thank you
Peace & Love

Answer 1

It's standard practice in most of the EU now (especially in large businesses) that you finish on Christmas Eve, and go back on the 2nd January (3rd in some places, depends on Bank holidays) - or the first working day after it.

I've also heard that Americans only get a couple of week's holiday (or vacation) a year. Is that true? Terrible.

Answer 2

I agree with you. I think Americans would be less stressed out and probably even be better workers if they gave us more time off like they do in many other countries.

Many countries are legally required to have a certain amount of days allowed for vacation. The United States is one of the only modern countries without vacation-time minimums mandated by law. Usually 7-21 days is the standard for most employers. Typically 10 working days with 8 national holidays.

I wish I knew how to change that. Ultimately guess its up to the employers.