Stretching out our annual holiday has always been something of a fine art and now research has revealed this task is even harder for Brits, compared to their neighbours on the continent, with those in the UK grappling with the least paid and public holidays in Europe.
The analysis of holiday leave in 12 European countries by the booking website Hotels.com found that while Brits enjoy a minimum of 28 days off, across Europe the average leave and public holiday entitlement was 33 days. Those living in Russia enjoy a staggering 40 days off in total, while those living in Italy and Sweden get to free themselves from the shackles of the 9 to 5, for at least 36 days.
But before Brits start feeling disgruntled over their lack of holiday entitlement, they should spare a thought for workers in other parts of the globe, who have things even worse them we do. In Mexico residents enjoy just 13 days holiday a year, while those in China, Thailand and Taiwan only have five, six and seven days of holiday respectively.
Further figures showed that while UK has eight shared public holidays - New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May bank holiday, Spring bank holiday, Summer bank holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day – those in Spain, Italy and Russia get a full 12 days of public holiday revelry.
The French also enjoy 10 days of public holiday, compared to Brit’s figure of 8, pushing their average annual leave to 35 days. However, it seems that more holidays, doesn’t necessarily equate to more happiness with a 2011 poll revealing that the French are more miserable that Brits – despite having lengthy summer holidays and a 35-hour working week.
If you are heading off on holiday in 2013, it is important to secure travel insurance to ensure you are covered in event of an emergency.
Date Created: 27/03/2013
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