Long Work Hours - Short Vacation

Why Americans Are Choosing Long Weekends Over Vacations

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

I handle employee schedules at my company and I’ve noticed that over the years people are taking fewer and fewer extended vacations and instead are opting for more long weekends. Is there a reason for this?

Sincerely,

Whatever Happened to Vacations

April Masini's advice:

Dear Whatever Happened to Vacations,

It’s interesting that you noticed people in your office are taking fewer extended vacations and are instead taking more long weekends. It’s not just happening in your office. It's a national trend!

There are a couple of reasons why Americans are taking longer weekends and fewer traditional vacations:

*Work defines us. Americans define themselves by their jobs and their careers more than anything. They value their jobs and careers more than they value vacation time. Given that, it makes perfect sense that Americans are more apt to extend their weekends to take a break from work than to take a one to two week family vacation that excludes work.

*Joint custody of the children of divorce means complicated custody schedules. It's easier for single parents or parents who share custody of children of divorce to vacation with the kids on their designated every other weekend. Extending that weekend by a day or two is easier than negotiating week long custody swaps with a contentious ex spouse.

*Sweat is a status symbol. Hard work and hours logged in at the office are the current equivalent to what a Gucci or an Armani clothing label used to be. Luxury and relaxation without sweat are seen as slothful and less than valuable than doing for doing's sake.