You know how 41 percent of Americans didn’t take a single vacation day last year? Apparently, that’s not entirely the result of hardworking, American-made determinism, but rather, especially among millennials, the result of a practice called “vacation shaming.”
For those who don’t know, “vacation shaming” is being made to feel a sense of guilt from co-workers for taking a vacation, and it’s become increasingly prevalent in the American workplace. According to an Alamo Rent A Car survey, 59 percent of millennials—compared to 41 percent of those 35 and older—report being “vacation shamed” for taking or planning their days off.
The study also revealed that 47 percent of millennials felt they needed to justify to their employer why and how they intend on using their vacation days. Worse still, 22 percent of all surveyed admitted the shaming prevented them from enjoying a vacation.
It’s long-known that the U.S. has a “vacation taking” problem. For starters, it’s the only advanced economy that does not require employers to provide paid vacation time. Even of those who reportedly take vacations, 46 percent admit to worrying about work or working while on holiday. So much for family time, eh?
This wouldn’t be so jarring if you compared it to similar countries like Germany, which requires two days off per every month worked—yes, that’s a guaranteed 24 days off per year, not including the numerous national holidays. Even Canada guarantees its workers 19 days off per year, while France pretty much shuts down all of August.
Tom is a travel writer, part-time hitchhiker, and he’s currently trying to imitate Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? but with more sunscreen and jorts.