How much vacation time do you take - government employees (local, state, federal)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I couldn't survive on the time off many of you describe. I get 4 weeks. Can buy a fifth. Plus federal holidays. And sick time is not part of all that.

OP here: Yes! I survive on it but it is pretty hard. I rely on my time off to rejuvenate and spend time with my family and have adventures! I would love increased leave. For me, I prefer increased leave over increased pay as money can only do so much but my time is precious.

As it is, I'm still waiting to hear if I can take my 8 days off this summer....so far, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I once had a business school professor tell us that we should never take more than 5 days off at a time. Five days is just enough for someone else to cover for you, but not too long for them to learn your job and outperform you or for your boss to realize your position isn't really needed.

I've always followed this advice and twice I've seen people who took off 10-15 days straight get let go upon returning. In one case, the employee took all 15 days of her vacation to visit her parents in India. The boss realized that her job duties were easily broken between the three people who were covering for her and her position and $75k salary could be eliminated. Another guy took 10 days off and the lower level employee who covered for him was faster and more efficient, so he was let go and she was promoted. Again, a $100k salary was eliminated and they bumped her pay up to make her happy.

You seem to work in crappy places. Most of our workplace is international, long term employees and everyone takes 3-4 weeks off at a stretch to visit their home countries.

I completely agree. If I ever had a job where people did this, I would quit. In fact, I did work in a place like this, and I got out. Life is so much better now, even though I make less money. It sounds like you prefer money to life.