Yesterday, (not) a perfect day at the beach

Thanks BlueCat. If you read the article above, employees are actually more productive with flexible schedules. People get burned out when they have to be at the office for 9 hours per day every day. So our fast paced business growth could still continue.

John, you're thinking just like the American Employer I described. Sure, if an employee earns you a bunch of money or works a bunch of extra hours then they deserve extra time. But my point was that in Europe, everyone gets extra time, even average employees who only put in 35 hours per week. It's a totally different culture. Several studies I've read show than on average American employees spend 2 hours (not including lunch) loafing on the job (most of that time is spent on the Internet). The typical American employer view of this is that they are wasting their employer's money and should get paid less or should work more hours. But lets look at why people do this. It's probably because few people can work for 8 hours per day straight through with just a lunch break. It makes life seem like a drag, even if you like your job. Maybe a 9 hour day with 1 hour lunch is too long. What if it was reduced to 6 with the expectation that employees work the whole time. Would they still surf the net and reduce productivity more? Not if the proper controls were put into place. BestBuy headquarters is experimenting with something called results oriented work environment. If you can do your job in 5 hours per day, great! You only need to work 5 hours per day. (Read: <url removed> I think the expectation that employees should be 99% productive when they aren't at lunch is an unrealistic expectation that is archaic, from the industrial revolution days. As the article above points out, employee are actually more productive with flexible schedules -- even hourly employees.

RE: It doesn't leave me the ability to once every week or two take a sunny day off just for fun. Eric, you are taking the concept of "choice" to the extreme. Choice allows for moderation as well. If we were to bank enough sick & vacation days to take one (sunny) day off per month, that might be an improved lifestyle for some, over taking one long vacation. On a related topic, if we were to demonstrate an "above & beyond" availability to our clients, customers, or employer, I'm sure a little more time could be earned as well. So, again, the only point was; since we get to choose how to use the days (however few), making time for an occasional spontaneous enjoyment of a sunny day might be the sure thing, compared to taking a day-off that might be wasted. And then there is the topic of sick days. But, that's why we're on Wellness.com, right? An ounce of prevention might lead to fewer sick days and more healthy, happy days. Be well!

John, I do take time off. I usually take a vacation or what not. But that usually wipes out my vacation for the whole year. It doesn't leave me the ability to once every week or two take a sunny day off just for fun. Using your metaphor for sunny and cloudy days, my vacations are usually sunny days. I really enjoy them. My point was that I can't do both. I can travel or take a couple days off per month. I'd like to do both and the European system allows both. I agree that financially people waste too much money on things they don't need. Personally, I actually have 3-4 weeks of vacation per year, but I was speaking for most of the country, which gets two weeks. For me even 4 weeks isn't enough. How would you recommend someone spend that 3 weeks throughout the year? What are some choices people can make? Eric

We all have choices regarding what we take personal time off for. People do it in many different ways (some good, some not). Do you not choose to take time off on occasion? Are you choosing cloudy days or sunny days? The same concept of making better choices challenges people financially. Money (and days off) spent on too many frivolous things (cloudy days) can create a situation where you can't afford to do what you really want to do (enjoy sunny days). I don't think you'd get fired for making better choices. Does that make sense? It is the thousand-year-old "pay yourself first" concept. John

John, you must be self employed! :-) For most of us we're not so lucky. We don't get to choose not to work when it's nice out. If we take half a day off it's vacation time or we get fired if we do it too much. Most of us get 2 weeks a year, which is just enough for the holidays and a couple long weekend trips. I think it's kind of sad that the U.S. has such a rigorous work ethic. In Europe people work 30-35 hours per week, get 2 months paid vacation, unlimited sick days, and they get paid the same we do relative to their currency's buying power. Now I love the quality of life we enjoy in the United States and it's unparalleled anywhere else. But what's the point if we have to spend so much time working? I ponder these things sometimes. If I had the option, I would work maybe 15-20 hours per week, spend more time with my friends and family, and more time out doors on beautiful days. Enjoy your freedom, John! Eric