We really need to adopt a healthier attitude towards vacations and rest. I have noticed among my friends (with the exception of a very small group of people who either work for themselves or have phenomenally comfortable relationships with their bosses) that vacations are a rare, rare thing. While I realise that how easily you can get away depends on your industry and rank, it still appears to be such a Nigerian phenomenon to work all the hours the good Lord gives with little time for rest. It is incredibly hard to squeeze out a few days of rest for yourself.
In some companies, vacation time is allocated to you. Employees take their vacation in shifts with Miss A in January, Mr. D in July, Ms. F in September and Mr. Z in December. Hmmm, while I see how problems can occur if you have all your staff going off on holiday at the same time, I definitely don’t want to be forced to go on holiday when I don’t want to (though the thought of anyone having to force me to go on holiday is hilarious).
I sent an email to an American colleague today and received an Out of Office auto-response saying that he was taking a vacation day. This brought back sweet memories of being able to take vac days – not because I was going out of town, but just because I was entitled to them. I used them to run errands and get all sorts of personal business done. I also took vac days when I really needed to stay home and cook or clean. I used my sick days to recover from too many late nights up.
Sigh! I knew when I left my former cosy job that those conveniences would become a thing of the past. I didn’t bargain for how much to the other end of the spectrum I would be thrown, though.
3 comments:
its even more bizzare that people often prefer to trade their leave/vacation for money with their companies!
i guess some havent yet realize how to enjoy being off work.
Goodness, how weird. I was discussing this very topic with my hubby yesterday and we both remembered how we had to practically beg our bosses back home in Nigeria to take our vacation - something you are actually entitled to!!! You could only go on holiday when they 'approved' it and said you could! When I think back, I know I could never work like that again.
Over here, they practically beg you to take your holidays (at least where I work they do)!! In fact, I have next week off work - not because I'm going anywhere but simply because I have lots of holiday time owing and I have to take it. So I shall be putting my feet up. Ahh, I can't wait.
Well said !! But this is little bit hard to except it...
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