Time Magazine has a special report on America By The Numbers The online version does not have all the graphics in the print edition. I'd strongly encourage every one to check out the print edition page 48. On the bottom, there is a graphic comparing our annual weeks of work per year and vacation time with other countries. Here's the breakdown:
US: average weeks of work 46.2, 0 weeks vacation required by law, 3.9 weeks of vacation taken each year
Italy: average weeks of work 41.1, 4 weeks vacation required by law, 7.9 weeks of vacation taken each year
Britain: average weeks of work 40.8, 4 weeks vacation required by law, 6.6 weeks of vacation taken each year
France: average weeks of work 40.7, 5 weeks vacation required by law, 7.0 weeks of vacation taken each year
Germany: average weeks of work 40.6, 4 weeks vacation required by law, 7.8 weeks of vacation taken each year
My read of these numbers: we are going to be a burned out nation before we are all 50 while everyone else in the world is out living life. If we are as progressive and civilized as we claim to be, time to take a stance on personal happiness and make leisure time a required part of life. On your death bed, you won't be reflecting on what you didn't get to accomplish at work, but you may be filled with regret about all the places you didn't get to visit and all the events you had to miss because of work. Work should be a means to an end, not an end to our meaning.
Email Dr. Gwenn
Time Cover
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