Why dont companies give more vacation time?

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Posted by Chris Russell on March 18, 2008 at 2:00pm

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I was sitting in a seminar this morning listening to an HR consultant talk about retention strategies to about 25 human resources folks. One stat that popped out to me is that replacing a person who has left will now cost companies 100% of that person's salary to replace. (This is according to a study by Right Management)

Anyway he rattled off a list of low-cost tools companies can use to retain people. Things like free breakfast, discounts to health clubs, etc. One was more vacation time.

Why are we still stuck with the standard 2 weeks vacation for new hires?

Americans are busier than ever and time is now their most prized possession. People need more time to run their lives. Companies should start to realize that if you provide more vacation time and/or more flex-time to help their employees make their lives more manageable, maybe they wont be so likely to leave.

It cost them nothingto give more time off other than an extra week or two of lost productivity. But if the employee has more time and is less stressed they will be a more productive person while at work.

Life's too short. Give us more time off.

Tags: time-off, vacation

Comment by Greg Lachs on March 18, 2008 at 8:17pm: Chris. Very interesting point you make here. What amazes me even more is that so many companies separate "sick time" from "vacation time" instead of simply combing both into "PTO" (Paid Time Off.) And that some firms require you to work there a year before you accrue ANY time off -can't see the logic in that approach!

Comment by Chris Russell on March 18, 2008 at 8:31pm: I agree Greg. It just seems dumb on their part.

Comment by Lucilla Feliciano on March 19, 2008 at 1:14pm: I worked at a company where you were able to purchase Flex Days or up to five additional vacation days. The only thing I actually liked about working for the former employer. Most companies do not have that option and they need to realize that is how you attract employees. At my previous employer we had PTO and I liked it as well.
To comment on Greg's comment about waiting a year to accrue time: Those companies probably see a high turnover of employees. I have to agree a dumb idea that needs to be current with current job hunters.

Comment by CMOE on March 19, 2008 at 6:05pm: The people that run the companies are only concerned with the amount of output that comes from the company. The job market is very competitive these days. People who are not willing to make the commitment are going to be replaced.

Comment by Heather Mundell on March 19, 2008 at 7:27pm: I agree - two weeks is ridiculous!

What also is disturbing to me is the number of people who don't take much of their vacation time because "the office can't live without me". Maybe that's just in their head, but maybe that's really the message they're getting - "Don't take your vacation". And so many people have to work for days before and after their vacation to make it work, that it adds so much stress.

Comment by Lucilla Feliciano on March 19, 2008 at 7:46pm: Heather I had one co-worker who would not take a vacation, sick, or holiday off just to have 18 days off in December. He would come in with fevers and coughing because he wanted to make sure he had all his PTO time accrued.