Before you put your ‘Out of Office’ on …
Midsommer is here, which means (at least in some parts of the world): summer holiday! But before you put on your ‘out of office’, we just want to share that we’ve added a new section to our employability app CareerProfessor.works – looking into public holidays and statutory annual leave entitlement across the globe.
However, we do realise we are writing this amidst (a lot of) geopolitical tension. While some of us are planning getaways and wondering how we can get the most out of our annual leave, others are desperately hoping for safety, for a resolution, for a pause from sirens.
While recognising this reality, we want to underline that, in almost every culture, the concept of a holiday exists as a signpost of something people indiscriminately long for: time to reconnect, recharge, and rewind. Holidays are mirrors of our communities and gates to our traditions. Historically, they played an invaluable role in solidifying, and sometimes redefining, our social bonds and values as communities.
Hence, this new addition to CareerProfessor, because have you ever wondered if the grass is greener, or sandier, on the other side of the world?
All leaves are equal… But are some leaves more equal than others?
Did you know that while some countries treat annual leave as a fundamental right enshrined in law, others leave it almost entirely up to employers? Take the United States, for example, there is no federal law guaranteeing paid annual leave for employees, making it one of the least generous nations in the world when it comes to statutory time off. If you’re reading this from the U.S., you might be clutching your coffee a little tighter right now…
Meanwhile, employees in many European states can count on 4 to 5 weeks (20-25 working days) of paid annual leave as a legal minimum, not to mention a generous helping of public holidays sprinkled throughout the year. Outside of Europe, entitlements widely vary. Australia offers a minimum of 4 weeks, Canada’s entitlement starts at 2 weeks, increasing with tenure up to 4 weeks. China grants 5 to 15 days, depending on cumulative work experience, while in Nigeria employees are entitled to 6 working days of holiday leave under labour law.
You are what you celebrate
Of course, annual leave is just one part of the story. Public holidays, those cherished dates when entire countries pause to celebrate, commemorate, or simply take a collective breather, can make a significant difference to how much time off you actually enjoy each year. They come in different shapes and forms, and they are often more than just red circles on a calendar; they tell stories about what a society values, who it honours, and how it remembers.
In the Netherlands, on April 27th, the streets transform into a sea of orange as the nation comes together to celebrate the monarch’s birthday, although few would call themselves monarchists. In South Korea, holidays like Chuseok invite families to prepare food and rituals to honour their ancestors and reweave bonds between the living and the deceased. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s public holidays, spanning Hari Raya, Wesak Day, Deepavali, and Christmas, reflect the country’s multicultural tapestry, with each celebration adding its unique flavour to the national calendar.
Interestingly, countries with strong religious traditions tend to anchor their public holidays in spiritual observances. In contrast, more secular states prominently feature national or historical events, moments of civic remembrance that forge national identity through a shared history rather than a shared faith. But beyond all our cultural differences, there’s one day the world generally seems to agree on: New Year’s Day. Maybe it’s the promise of fresh starts, or maybe we just love an excuse to celebrate and make a few optimistic resolutions.
Ultimately, what does time off really tell us? No matter where we are and what title we hold, we all look forward to pressing that pause button to recharge. Whether it is 5 weeks of leave, 15 bank holidays, or a handful of long weekends, what is certain for all of us is that public holidays and annual leave return each year to remind us that life is not only about work – it is also about rest. And we might all recognise this feeling: Annual leave always leaves us too soon.
Blog post written by Yerin Park & Nannette Ripmeester for Expertise in Labour Mobility
Image by Jizelle Ys for CareerProfessor.works
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