For most U.S. private industry workers, this week’s (Thursday) Fourth of July is a paid vacation day, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to such paid holidays and time-off for sick days, holidays, or bereavement, how many paid vacation days should a full time employee receive?
76% | Percentage of private industry workers who receive paid vacation days.
Consider these statistics from the BLS for private industry workers when determining your company’s vacation policy. As you’ll see, the length of time an employee has been on a company’s payroll is the factor that determines most an employees paid vacation.
1-5 years with the company
After one year of service at a company:
- 0-5 paid vacation days (7%)
- 5-9 paid vacation days (38%)
- 10-14 paid vacation days (35%)
- 15-19 paid vacation days (12%)
- 20-24 paid vacation days (7%)
- 24+ paid vacation days (2%)
As you can see, the majority of workers were offered between five and 14 paid vacation days. The average paid vacation time for small business after one year of service is 10 days.
5-10 years with the company
After five years of service at a company:
- 0-5 paid vacation days (2%)
- 5-9 paid vacation days (9%)
- 10-14 paid vacation days (36%)
- 15-19 paid vacation days (34%)
- 20-24 paid vacation days (12%)
- 24+ paid vacation days (6%)
Typically, the more years an employee has worked at a company, the more vacation days they are allowed. The majority of paid vacation days is 10-19 paid vacation days. The average vacation time in the U.S. after five years of service is 14 days.
10-20 years with a company
After 10 years of service at a company:
- 0-5 paid vacation days (2%)
- 5-9 paid vacation days (7%)
- 10-14 paid vacation days (16%)
- 15-19 paid vacation days (41%)
- 20-24 paid vacation days (22%)
- 24+ paid vacation days (13%)
Almost half of employees (41%) have access to 15-19 paid vacation days. The average vacation time for small business employees after 10 years of service is 17 days.
20+ years with a company
After 20 years of service at a company:
- 0-5 paid vacation days (2%)
- 5-9 paid vacation days (6%)
- 10-14 paid vacation days (13%)
- 15-19 paid vacation days (20%)
- 20-24 paid vacation days (35%)
- 24+ paid vacation days (25%)
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Some employees prefer benefits other than more time off
According to Business News Daily, while every employee loves a salary increase, there are other ways to reward workers besides offering more money or time. Here are 15 perks offered by large and small businesses across the country. (To learn about these perks, see Business News Daily.)
- A pet-friendly environment
- Massages and yoga
- Free books
- Free food
- No official work hours
- Birthdays off
- Family focus
- Onsite health services
- Mental health support
- Continuing education
- Student loan paydowns
- Midday fitness and recreation
- Donation matching
- Office parties
- Freedom (and funding) to travel
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