U.S. workers don't know how to go on vacation

U.S. workers don't know how to go on vacation
(The Morning Call) November 17, 2007
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American workers are no doubt productive workers, but it appears that many white collar American workers don't take vacations seriously. Many take some of their responsibilities that they have at work along with them during their vacations.

I have been a consultant and have worked for different organizations since 1996. I have encountered managers who gave their pager and cell phone numbers to their team members before leaving for vacation. Hence, they worry about work during their short vacation period.

In Europe, in contrast, people are given longer vacations, which they fully enjoy. For instance, in Germany, many employees get about two months of paid vacations in a year and their employers pay them extra to enjoy their vacation. German workers don't take any stress from work during their vacations and are at least as equally productive as American workers.

American workers should adopt the ''work hard, play hard'' attitude. That will make them more productive and happier at work.

Mayank Shyam

Bethlehem Township