Compare that with Italy, where, on average, employees get 42 vacation days. In France, employees get an average 37 glorious days, while the Brits enjoy an average 28, according to a 2007 study by the World Tourism Organization.
Before you pack your bags and move abroad, there are ways to enjoy the summer sun--and make it feel like you're on vacation--even when stuck in your dark cubicle.
If you must go into the office, why not enjoy the cool summer mornings and evenings by biking there? 'When it's beautiful outside you get to enjoy the weather on the way to and from work on a day when you have to be stuck inside,' says Tim Grahl, owner and operator of commutebybike.com. 'It's something to look forward to.' (Not to mention biking's other benefits: Riders get two cardio workouts daily and save money on gas.)
The idea of biking to work--especially if it involves busy roads--can be intimidating. But there are ways around that. First, figure out which back roads to take into the office. Google Maps has a function that allows users to reroute their trip to local roads. From there, find a buddy to bike with. Having someone behind or in front of you is nice support, especially someone who has biked to work before.
And before you invest hundreds of dollars in a shiny, new bike, use an old or borrowed one. Just get it tuned up at the local bike shop.
If you're worried about having that not-so-fresh-feeling, drive your work clothes, deodorant and other toiletries into the office at the beginning of the week. Just leave some extra time to wash up and change before getting to your desk. Another option: Bring baby wipes.
If biking into the office isn't your thing, try working from home a few days a week. Sure, you still have to get the work done, but isn't working in your sunny backyard on a lounge chair more appealing than sitting in the office? 'It changes up the mood and contributes to decreasing stress,' says Tom Musback, managing editor of Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
Many offices are willing to let employees take a four-day week if they put in extra hours. If this isn't already a company policy, ask your manager if it's acceptable for you to work nine or 10 hours for four days and then take the fifth day off. If that's not an option, come in early a few days a week so you can leave early and maximize your summer sunshine hours.
If none of these ideas satiates your appetite for summer and you need a week off to rejuvenate, make sure you plan ahead and get approval from your manager. With 60% of full-time American employees--95 million people--planning to take vacation time from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to the workforce management company Kronos, you want to make sure to get your desired days off.
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