Fascinating Mayo pub chat gives insight into overseas holiday entitlements

COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (SEPTEMBER 2 EDITION)

A fascinating conversation in Paddy’s Bar over the holiday month of August offered some insights into the disparity in holiday entitlements enjoyed by visitors from America and Europe.

“The longest we could stay in Ireland is ten days because we’ve only got two weeks’ holidays,” explained a visitor from Pennsylvania. “In the US, there is no statutory minimum paid vacation at federal or state level. Nor are there paid public holidays - even though America has eight public holidays every year, you’re not entitled by law to pay for those.”

Rather, the holiday entitlements of American workers are left to the discretion of employers and is part of the contract negotiated with employees.

“Typically, you get ten days after a year’s service and fourteen days after five years.”

Ireland has ten public (bank) holidays and workers are entitled to 20 paid days off every year. English visitors to Ireland have more leisure time: In the UK, workers are entitled to 28 paid days off, including public holidays.

Swedish workers enjoy 25 statutory days leave and nine (paid) public holidays. Similarly in Spain, workers get 22 days off and 14 paid public holidays. France meanwhile gives its workers between 36 and 48 paid days off – the figure varies if you get bonus days off for taking your holidays outside the peak summer season and if you work more than 35 hours a week.