this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2026
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[–] Unbecredible@sh.itjust.works 17 points 1 month ago (3 children)

So how ubiquitous is paid vacation time around the EU? How much could a fast food worker expect to receive if they're working full time?

[–] lauha@lemmy.world 25 points 1 month ago

Fast food working is not lesser work than office work, even though it might be like that in US. Same laws apply.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 21 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (4 children)

It'll vary country to country. In the UK (I know we're not in anymore) it's 28 days. France is 30, Italy 32, Estonia 40. I'm not sure if there's any with less than the UK, as we've probably got the closest work culture to the US.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_annual_leave_by_country

[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 17 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Just the fact that you measure it in full days is a flex on the US.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

We literally earn PTO in the form of hours per pay period worked.

[–] Lumidaub@feddit.org 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 month ago

The "great time off" for federal employees is that they have a higher threshold before they cap how much you are allowed to have and number of hours earned increases based on years of service. These jobs are considered a tradeoff of great benefits for lower pay.

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The list doesn't back that up. There are loads of countries between the UK and US when you look at the numbers, and the UK isn't inextricably linked to your health insurance to hold you captive.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not understanding what you're saying.

[–] Diddlydee@feddit.uk 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Quote: 'I'm not sure if there's any with less than the UK, as we've probably got the closest work culture to the US.'

I'm saying there are plenty less than the UK and the list shows that, and that the work culture between our countries doesn't seem the same at all.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Fair, didn't really study the list in that much detail.

With regards to work culture since Thatcher we've definitely been on a path that brings us closer to the US. Unions have become extremely weakened and it's almost a dirty word. We keep voting for governments that want to curtail workers rights. The present government is an exception after almost a decade and a half, and it looks very much like it'll be back to business and usual (probably with a jackboot on the accelerator) after the next GE.

[–] Unbecredible@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Yeah, UK is pretty shit when you compare it to our European neighbours. Statutory sick pay is a joke too (like £90 a week) and maternity (90% of your pay for 6 weeks and drops right down to "187.18 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks" for only 33 weeks. It's because we keep electing right wing parties. :(

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Keep in mind that in Estonia the 28 days of vacation is calendar days not workdays so with a 5 day workweek you lose 8 of them.

And the 40 listed there includes holidays, usually when talking about vacation time, people don't count that I think. Also if a holiday is on the weekend you don't get a day off on Friday to compensate. You just lose that holiday.

[–] then_three_more@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Oh that's interesting. So brings it down to the low 30s like much of the rest of Europe.

[–] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

Yeah it's kinda average here, nothing special, nothing to complain about either.

[–] Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 1 month ago

That's the idea, the job doesn't matter, only how much you work (half-time, full-time, 4/5, 9/10, ...).

Here in Belgium, for me, full-time is 38 hours. Because 40 hours is easier, that means I get 20 vacation days + 12 days for compensate for the 2 hour surplus each week.

Then there's a few extra days, like when a holiday falls in the weekend, you're allowed to move it.

There's a lot more, but they often require special conditions. You can get days off for education. When you're fired or leaving the job, you can get days off when applying for a new job. There's days when you're getting (or adopting) a baby.