The reason I ask is that I had an interesting chat with the Managing Director of a company, for whom I do some consultancy work. He was remarking that he is so busy that he won't be taking any holidays this year. Which seems pretty draconian to me. I suppose it depends on peoples circumstances.
I take holidays each year. This year, I have been to Spain for a week. Later this year, I'm taking two weeks to travel and to stay in Baveria with my family. I will take another one weeks holidays with my wife (destination to be decided). And I will take another holiday at Christmas for a week but will stay at home for that.
Do you take holidays? And if so, do you take holidays away from home or do you stay at home during your holidays? How long are your holidays?
One of the less known aspects of high ranking jobs is the fact that they are also high risk. There are a dozen people who want that job, they're just waiting for you to stumble, and might even help you stumble. Executives and high ranking managers tend to work extra hours, not because they love it, but becaue they don't want to lose it. (understanding that no one is ever fired from a high ranking position. they 'leave for personal reasons'😉
Me? I love my time off, and will take as much as I can get. Planning another trip to Amsterdam later this summer, and I'm taking my bike this time. Bit of a pain to pack it up, but it's more personal if you have your own bike rather than a rental.
I always try to take 1-2 weeks at Christmas and 2-3 weeks in the summer.
Doesn't always work out for personal-work reasons, but that is the idea.
Summer usually away from home (travelling). X-mas 1 week with the family at home and usually one week away falling in the snow (I am not arrogant enough to claim that I can ski, but I enjoy myself anyway).
One of the less known aspects of high ranking jobs is the fact that they are also high risk. There are a dozen people who want that job, they're just waiting for you to stumble, and might even help you stumble. Executives and high ranking managers tend to work extra hours, not because they love it, but becaue they don't want to lose it. (understanding that no one is ever fired from a high ranking position. they 'leave for personal reasons'😉
Me? I love my time off, and will take as much as I can get. Planning another trip to Amsterdam later this summer, and I'm taking my bike this time. Bit of a pain to pack it up, but it's more personal if you have your own bike rather than a rental.
Enjoy Amsterdam. But what out for those hills, they're a killer!
My family and I are in the Outer Banks, NC. as I type. We go every year. In July sometime, we are going to the Philly zoo and other fun stuff with the kids. I take another week between then and Thanksgiving just to do stuff around the house and then take some time over Christmas.
The truth is it's hard to find an American who gets more than 3 weeks vacation a year. Most of the time the 3rd week is granted after 10 or 15 years of service. Most of use 2 or three days at a time filling in around 3 day weekends hoping to get a complete week off. In my last job people were known to take 1/2 day vacations so that they would get a full days pay when they had doctor's appointments!
I just love it when a " European " talks about his 6 weeks or so of "holiday" time, after denegrating Americans about being lazy, useless, self indulgent slobs.
i get three weeks plus the days between christmas and new year. i ALWAYS use every day. it's not healthy to not take a break a few times/year and your company won't really think any more of you for not taking them.
