Whether you’re opening a facility or working with suppliers in another country, it’s useful to understand the paid time off customs in a country not your own. Here’s a snapshot:
In Europe: Many employers go beyond the legally mandated PTO of at least 20 days. For example, in Italy, workers may enjoy at least 20 working days off annually, 11 public holidays, 15 days of paid leave when they get married, plus 104 hours of ROL (riduzione orario di lavoro, or “reduction in working hours”), which is time to take care of family or personal needs such as going to the doctor.
In Latin America: Most countries offer PTO of at least 12 days and some up to 30 days. In Mexico, employers must also pay employees a 25% premium while they’re on vacation.
In Africa: PTO ranges from six days (in Nigeria) to 21 consecutive days (in South Africa). South Africa also has 30 days of paid sick leave in a three-year cycle.
In Asia: Legal minimums range from five to 10 days. In Japan, PTO can grow to 20 days after 6.5 years of service, and 16 public holidays are often treated as paid holidays. However, there is no additional sick leave there, and employees say they feel pressure not to take their full leave.
In the Middle East: PTO can be generous. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, employees get 30 calendar days of leave, plus 90 days of sick leave (15 at full pay, 30 at half-pay, 45 unpaid).
In the United States: Employers decide how much leave to grant, which is usually 10 to 15 days a year, with 10 public holidays, which are not always guaranteed.
NASA has them. So do Google, Cisco, and Nike. Could your company be next?
Nap pods make it easy for employees to take what’s called a “power nap”—which, says Better Sleep Council spokesperson Terry Cralle, MS, RN, is “a 30-minute reset that boosts energy and sharpens focus, without the grogginess of deep sleep or interfering with bedtime.”
After your nap, maximize the benefits by taking in some natural light and washing your face to fully wake up and feel refreshed.
Pro tip for a power nap: Drink your coffee right before you lie down so it kicks in by the time you wake; it usually takes from 30 minutes to an hour for the caffeine to reach peak stimulation, depending on whether or not you’ve eaten.
“Power napping is catching on in the workplace, especially for shift workers,” Cralle adds. “But the truth is, it works for almost everyone, from students and athletes to new parents, travelers … and kids, who have been onto this all along.” •