Why won't the United States mandate four weeks paid vacation for the workers of this country?

Question

Are Italy and Spain really better places to live than the good ol' U.S. of A?

I'm disappointed in many of your answers. You're automatically assuming that I want to go and live in Italy or Spain when that isn't the case at all. I'm asking for opinions and so far most of what I'm reading is an attack on my question. If that's your stance in life, to attack rather than to answer - believe me - you've got a lot to learn. Go answer someone else's question.

I don't have an employer. I am a stay-at-home mom. I am just asking a question.

Answer 1

Just a cultural thing I guess. Typically it's 2 weeks, but I do notice that some of the Euro-based companies in the US like Nokia give 3-4 weeks.

Some employees are able to negotiate their own vacation packages when they are hired.

Of course you could always run your own business, and take as many weeks off as you want.

Cheers!

Answer 2

Look up the policies in Italy and Spain. Look at the tax rate, I believe it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 80%. Research before you try and act like you know what you are saying. Most people in this country don't even work 40 hours a week and people still complain. The reasons it is not mandated are because it is a democracy and companies aren't controlled by the government so they give vacation based on other factors, and because if they DID do it, our taxes would be at 80% like those "perfect" places to live. How would you like to receive $200 from a check that is written for $1000? We aren't perfect, but I'd rather my boss control my paycheck than the government.

Answer 3

Because Italy is Socialist, and - so far - The United States is not. Here, if you don't like the vacation benefits plan of your employer, then change employers! You want to do better, the it's up t o you. Government mandates never solve anything, and the govt is in our business TOO MUCH as it is.

Answer 4

I have asked myself that same question. Is it better to live in Europe to have a better quality of life - more time off and less pay? It all depends on what you want out of life. The US makes more money as a whole because we work longer hours. However, we miss all the joys of having time off.

They will not make it mandatory here in the US to have 4 weeks paid vacation because that is a call they want to leave up to businesses. Each company can decide what type of benefits they want to offer and to whom. Companies would be allowing government to control too much if they let that happen.

Our government controls too much now. We do not want the US to become a socialized country. It's better to have a free country and let the companies compete with each other as to who can attract the best employees (by offering better benefits on their own free will).

The best thing to do is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. I have four weeks of paid vacation and 12 days of paid time off on top of that - because I negotiated and I am good at what I do.

Answer 5

The U.S. is still a democracy, it doesn't tell employers how much vacation their employees should have. If you want four weeks of vacation you work for an employer that offers four weeks, like the military for example.

Answer 6

Italy and Spain are socialist countries. How many of their citizens are unemployed and sucking from the collective socialist nipple?

Answer 7

Aren't you little tired of the government telling us what to do? And why the heck would should people get 4 weeks? Just because?

Answer 8

Four weeks?! Ha! Why not five weeks, or ten weeks, hey why not 53 weeks a year!

Is that what makes a country great? being lazy doing nothing?

Oh bother.

Answer 9

If you want four weeks of paid vacation, go out and earn it first.

Answer 10

because the USA is "the land of the free" which allows corporations to set their own corporate policy. Europe is another continent, with different customs, and if they appeal to you, move there.