Ask HN: How many weeks of vacation do you take?

3 points by duren 8 years ago | 6 comments

I'm curious how many weeks (or days) of vacation you take per year. Especially those who have an "unlimited" vacation policy.

muzuq 8 years ago |

I don't have an unlimited policy, and honestly it's for the best as I would likely abuse it.

I'm in North America. I get 3 weeks. I take 3 weeks.

Edit for clarification: 3 weeks of paid. Unlimited if conditions require it (mental leave, sick leave, etc). I generally use 10 of my 15 days to extend 3-day weekends (if we get the Friday off for a bank holiday, I take the Monday as well). I save the other 5 for half days to do whatever.

duren 8 years ago | |

I get that (currently trying to not abuse unlimited policy).

tchaffee 8 years ago |

Ever since experiencing the 5 to 6 weeks of vacation that is standard the day you start a job in Europe, I take a minimum of 4 weeks a year. I started my own company quite a few years ago, so it's usually me paying for it now, but it wasn't always that way. Even with me paying for it, 4 weeks feels like the minimum required for me for a good work / life balance and mental health.

duren 8 years ago | |

This reminds me, I need to move to Europe.

4 week minimum seems healthy, good on you!

surak 8 years ago |

We have 3 months of unpaid leave each year, and I tend to use up about 2 - 2.5 months.

duren 8 years ago | |

3 months of unpaid, that's really interesting, I've never heard of that before. What country are you in?