Vacation - Definition and Overview

This article is about vacation as time off. For the movie, see National Lampoon's Vacation. For the Go Go's album and song see Vacation (album)

Vacation is a term used in North America to describe time away from work or school, or also a trip abroad. In the rest of the English-speaking world the word "holiday" is used. In Canada both terms are widely used. The French term is similar to the American English: "Les Vacances". The term derives from the fact that, in the past, upper-class families would literally move to a summer home for part of the year, leaving their usual family home vacant.

Most countries around the world have labour laws mandating a certain number of days of time off per year to be given to a worker. In Canada the legal minimum is two weeks, in most of Europe the limit is significantly higher. Many American companies give only one week, and then frequently only after completion of a year of employment.

In modern employment practice, vacation days are usually coupled with sick time, official holidays, and sometimes personal days.

Minimal vacation time around the world

• Canada - two weeks
• United States. There is no national guaranteed vacation outside of government employment. Private employers are free to offer as much or as little paid vacation time as they want, but a standard minimum practice is one week after first year of employment. Many low-wage service industries offer no paid vacation at all.
• Mexico - one week after first year of employment, increased two days per year worked after that.

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See also: Tourism