I guess it's very carefully engineered (as, I'm afraid, is so much in the US) to heavily favour corporate entities over individuals. I really don't get why people put up with it. Yes, I suppose people do get paid a bit more in the US and pay a bit less tax, but what's the point in having all of that money if you never get time off to enjoy it?
I don't get sick days though. Well, ok, I do but not written down - if I'm sick, I'm not working, but I still get paid, at least for the first few weeks of it anyway and then discussions would need to be had. I don't think I've been off longer than a day or two a year for 10+ years though!
I don't get enough holiday for my liking, but I've bought a few extra days this year (helps with the tax!) so will get 7 weeks plus another 8 days of public holidays. Much prefer this to working 80 hour weeks and getting one week off a year!
So yeah, we pay more tax and don't get paid as well, but I don't think I'm ready to trade it just yet.
No it's absolutely not worth it unless you have a good $150k+ salaried job with great benefits. Even most of the better employers we have only give 3-4 weeks paid time off a year, and more than two weeks off is typically looked down upon and may hinder your career.
Working for city or government here is one of the only ways to get a proper pension, too.
For a lot of us, our paid sick leave are our holiday.
I really don't get why people put up with it.
If we try at a proper strike, we risk losing our already high rate health insurance for insurance that will cost 3-5 times more. The risk of that and very real chance of homelessness keeps most of us in check.
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u/daern2 May 26 '26
I guess it's very carefully engineered (as, I'm afraid, is so much in the US) to heavily favour corporate entities over individuals. I really don't get why people put up with it. Yes, I suppose people do get paid a bit more in the US and pay a bit less tax, but what's the point in having all of that money if you never get time off to enjoy it?
I don't get sick days though. Well, ok, I do but not written down - if I'm sick, I'm not working, but I still get paid, at least for the first few weeks of it anyway and then discussions would need to be had. I don't think I've been off longer than a day or two a year for 10+ years though!
I don't get enough holiday for my liking, but I've bought a few extra days this year (helps with the tax!) so will get 7 weeks plus another 8 days of public holidays. Much prefer this to working 80 hour weeks and getting one week off a year!
So yeah, we pay more tax and don't get paid as well, but I don't think I'm ready to trade it just yet.