http://www.psychosomaticmedici.....l/62/5/608

http://www.travelandleisure.co.....n-the-road

Here’s a few for ya. Now, can you document your contention that people are slackers and/or less productive after vacations?

At the risk of sounding narcicistically anecdotal (much like your “evidence”) my father’s business would suffer under your proposal - he likes being able to plan his business cycle without the uncertainty of his employees asking for days off.

First, I never said anything about staff buggering off for 4 weeks at a time. Employers always have discretion about when people take time off. It is called terms of employment. I never said anything about delivering into employees’ hands the ability to unilaterally tell their boss, “Cya, I’m gone for 4 weeks!” Looks like a straw man to me.

Second, care to back that claim of a “loss of productivity” when someone is away for an extended length of time? I have read the exact opposite - because no decrease in stress levels registers in vacations less than 1 week, employees are sick more often, have more health problems and have a decreased life expectancy. On the other hand, the studies I read actually point to an increase in workplace performance, enthusiasm and efficiency when employees take longer, sustained breaks.

I am 100% sure that businesses would prefer not to have to close on certain days of the year. In today’s global economy, there is no such thing as a standard holiday globally. Business happens every day of the week - weekdays and weekends. Tell me again which companies would prefer to have static stat days that leave them devoid of staff on certain days, or be forced to pay overtime.

That is one point of view.

Another, the one I stated, is that they would rather have a consistency in their work force (i.e. didn’t have someone bugger off for 4 weeks at a time) and rather gave long week-ends every once in a while. Remember, not everyone works on stat holidays, most people just don’t go into work, and the office is closed.

It would probaly be important to consult with businesses, though, before speaking for them and what they would like.

I would demand eliminating statuatory days without increasing mandatory vacation time. [I would also demand eliminating mandatory vacation time too.]

Charles: wouldn’t it save employers money by not having to close their businesses? Lots of companies run through holidays anyway - this would prevent them from having to pay double time for holidays. Just like vacation days, it is a simple negotiation based on a compromise between the needs of the employee and the need for the employer to cover his schedule.

Your better idea is something I proposed as well - just increase the average annual vacation time alotted and do away with stats.

Anonymous - I would think that as I said above, employers would be in favour as they would save on the overtime rates they pay on stats. It allows them to be much more flexible in terms of scheduling and they don’t have to worry about missing out on days.

Now, what am I missing? Why is there not broader support for such an idea?

Well, for starters, you never considered how much holidays cost employers.
Secondly, you seem to suppose you know what is best for everybody.

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I have a better idea: eliminate statutory holidays entirely. Let employers and employees negotiate when they want to work.

Sorry if my demand for less government regulation “offends anyone” who seems to think government knows what is best for us.