Personal stories - what annual leave, public holidays and sick leave look like in New Zealand vs USA

[@WinterWind]

The sad thing is NZ isn't even a world leader in these things, it's just normal for annual leave and sick leave to be offered in most places, just not the US

[@mrtnite9780]

Very true. Scandanavia and parts of Europe receive much much more

[@chrisorourke2110]

@petnzme01 not so sure about that.... do a bit of research

[@chrisorourke2110]

@petnzme01 sorry I was confusing 40 hour/ week v 8 hours / day. Kiwis always ahead of Aussies in most ways 😏

[@fallenangel_899]

@petnzme01 People are too brainwashed to think we aren't ahead

[@roflolwtfomg]

I’m a kiwi, and I knew life was quite hard in the states, but your videos have just put into perspective how lucky we are to have been born here

[@lorainefleeman6011]

It's really not hard. While we get something like a week or two off a year, we also take a day or two extra, on top of our 2 or 3 days off a week, every few months. Also, this varies by state. That's why it's not federally mandated.

[@annemacnaughtan3598]

Some people here in New Zealand obviously have to work public holiday (retail or essential services etc.) but if you do, you are paid time and a half and given a day off in lieu. For example, it is a public holiday tomorrow and if you have too work, you will be paid time and a half your normal pay and you would then have a chance to take your day off later, on a day agreed upon by you and your boss.

[@harrycurrie9664]

In my day if you worked a normal 5 day 9-5 job and were asked if you could work on a Saturday ( you could say no ) you would be paid time and a half, and if you were asked to work a Sunday or public holiday you would be paid triple time.

[@eastchchkea6475]

I get double time and a day in lieu for working stat holidays, 🙃 my workplace is cool like that. I get time and a half for working weekends, and time and a quarter for working after 6pm on a week day. NZs holiday legislation is good and enables my employer to offer more to attract good staff. We are essential workers in health care and work shifts between 7am - 10pm/7 days a week. So, the extra money really helps and the 4 weeks holiday + day's in lieu really help the mental health.

[@harrycurrie9664]

@@eastchchkea6475 Cool place ! There wasn't too many times I knocked back the opportunity to work a Sunday either.😁👍

[@jenastorm86]

100% correct. I'm working tomorrow time and a half. Yah

[@meowlarence6972]

@@harrycurrie9664 Those days are long gone Harry, Jim Bolger and the nats,killed it in '91.

[@phoebus007]

The US really is a 3rd world country with respect to employee management. In Britain, many managers are assessed on how well they ensure that their subordinates take their leave entitlement. It is counter-productive to make your employees routinely work excessive hours and not take regular breaks, leading to employee health problems, dissatisfaction and high staff turnover.

[@frankhelmstetter8389]

It’s a third world country in more ways than one. Live here in the states but am trying to move to NZ within the next couple years. I hate what the US is becoming / its principles.

[@dantebujanda-moore2312]

Best analogy I've found is that the U.S is just a third world country wearing a Gucci belt. And I couldn't agree with that statement more, I want out of here.

[@delmarae100]

NZ work conditions are due to a strong union history, Employees have an option to not be part of a union but good conditions come from hard negotiations by union organisations.

[@ginal3006]

This 100%!! Good working conditions don’t just fall from the sky :)

[@delmarae100]

@Global Cooling We're talking about why we have such good conditions in NZ not what the situation has become since 9 years of National governments undermining union organisations during their tenure.

[@pjmasks7185]

@@ginal3006 Yes its quite annoying listening to this woman talk about how great we have all these as if these things just came about.

[@markvegar1442]

@@pjmasks7185 don't listen to her then

[@deanstevenson6527]

17:17 NZ Safety and Health: Cross between a US Stacey Keetch sitcom and Robo Cop: Step Away from the Computer Terminal, Ms Shapiro. Or. There .Will.Be.Trouble..

[@lisasstitchingandsuch]

it's eye opening in the other direction as a kiwi learning about USA. However my husband who used to work for an American company that had established a small NZ based office. And every time someone senior from the company would come out to NZ they would hit a public holiday. And even when they learned to check for public holidays.... they then scheduled trip over Auckland Anniversary weekend and it was like mind bending for them that they not only had to check for National holidays but then there were also regional holidays lol.

[@michaelrangi5356]

I had no sick days off for 5 years when I worked for Carter holt and my boss marched me into his office and forced me to go to the doctors to get a sick leave to have a week off I went to the doctor and told him and he laughed and wrote me out sick leave for a week

[@ianstollery4922]

Just like health care, the respect for employees in the USA is so backward.

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

Maybe because there are more people so it's easier to find replacement staff. Not as many in NZ and it's not as easy to fire people here - you could fire someone for a very good reason but if you haven't followed the rules exactly you can find yourself in the employment court

[@samirwildcat]

from what i heard in this vlog im guessing its profit before people. Havnt moved away from the slave overlord mentality yet.

[@Kiwi-Macca]

As an Australian tour operator I commonly met Americans that were in the country for 9 days. That's after almost 2 days travel to get there and then it was 2 to get home, 13 days all up. It's all they had. I even met a few that had 5 days on the ground in Australia. That's not an annual holiday, that's a long weekend.

[@franzfanz]

It's really common in the New Zealand subreddit to get people (mostly Americans) asking if they can visit like a dozen different places all over the country in seven to ten days. Now even though New Zealand is relatively small compared to the US, because of topography it can take a lot longer to travel between places than it looks on a map. 50kms of mountain roads can take you almost as long to travel along as 100kms on the motorway. In late 2019 I met a couple on their honeymoon at a brewery and they were only here for nine days from California. That's a long way to come for a short holiday.

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

Years ago my cousin who was working and living in Japan came to stay with us in NZ. We had a lot of Japanese tourism at the time. He told us that many companies booked the tours for their staff. They would have 7 days to fly here, get on a tour bus, stop at certain cities and activities then fly home and back to work next day. Nearly all of their time was spent on planes and tour busses so they were sometimes more tired after the holiday than before. He was changing jobs so was able to spend a month here.

[@jgroenveld1268]

I can't speak for other companies in the US but for the company I worked for had paid leave but employees were not actively encouraged to take leave. When I moved to NZ - I was SUMMONED to the office and asked why I wasn't taking time off. I stood there mumbling to myself trying to comprehend what was going on.

[@TheEmzies]

Yeah companies don't want employees to hold large leave balances as it's a liability on the books. It's better for them if you take the leave rather than have to pay it out when you leave.

[@gregarchipow7643]

companies are legally obliged to give workers the time off, and can be fined(heavally) if they fail to do so

[@robynrands4622]

Yes I know people in New Zealand who have been forced to take time off when they didn't want to.

[@maraeacookson1573]

​@@robynrands4622 it's not forced, it's called strongly encouraged to take leave. The reason being organisations and companies are scrutinised by the govt for things such as employees holidays, bereavement and sick days if an employee decides to lay a complaint that they have not had any holidays, the huge ramifications for an employer is huge i.e fines, compensation, PG, etc. Added to the fact the govt's mandate is a well balanced life - work and personal.

[@maraeacookson1573]

I chuckled when I read your reply I thought it was funny ..... cute funny. Other reasons for employees to take their holidays is the govt's mandate is a well balanced life - work and personal. Also organisations and companies are scrutinised by the govt for things such as employees holidays, bereavement and sick days especially if an employee decides to lay a complaint or someone else lays a complaint that employees have not had any holidays, the huge ramifications for an employer is i.e fines, compensation, PG, etc. no employer wants to go through that.

[@kimwilliams3026]

Nz is about balance work wants you relaxed so when you do work it’s quality, your not overworked therefore are a better worker. Sick leave helps stop employees spreading illness in workplace. Your happier as you commit to your job as you know both your work and you health, including mental health is valued

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

I have heard of a few companies that offer unlimited sick leave. Some might think that the employees would take advantage of that, but none did. It was the feeling that if you did need it it was always there for you. You didn't need to check your leave balance before deciding wether you would suffer through the day and likely infect your coworkers with your cold for eg or just take a day or two to rest and get better

[@eastchchkea6475]

Personally, I'm guilty of being a little glad that the US has lost its luster here post Trump and pandemic. We were too keen to be like the US in the past, with National and Act heavily promoting US style privatisation and work culture/employment law (or the lack there of). That has changed somewhat and I think that's a really good thing. I hope we have learned our lesson in this regard and don't return to thinking the US is the bees knees.

[@moirapennell1945]

Austerity programmes were the orthodoxy in economics for a while. The new (up and coming) orthodoxy is for govts to spend their way out of recession as usually inflation and taxation take care of it.

[@tigertiger1699]

Too right... we are very lucky in NZ... however largely not for what we have done.., I can’t help but feel that we are lucky on timing, the treaty’s existence, that Maori are the fighters that their are.. in a slightly earlier time we could’ve been the US or Aussie.. having destroyed their First Nations even more fully.. we have a greater chance to come back from the edge of the commoditisation & homogenisation of “all people being the same”

[@Viagra_risk_PERMANENT_insomnia]

It's cheap to install a timber ''wall truss brace'' into a house when you are doing renovations and extensions.. or bulding a new home. Stronger house = less earthquake repairs = lower carbon footprint.

[@Moamanly]

@@Viagra_risk_PERMANENT_insomnia I just crossed your company off my list due to your totally inappropriate use of this space.

[@carolkrishnan7842]

@@Viagra_risk_PERMANENT_insomnia is not the topic of conversation we are participating. If you want to talk about hoe NZ and the US treat it's citizens you are welcome to participate. I have been living in NZ for over 60 years and don't need your advert.

[@johntewhauwhau4056]

Man, that's totally different, I'm a kiwi, and I can't go without my annual leave, so I would probably get fired in america.

[@jeringatai3156]

Some companys wont let you collect more than 200hrs so theyll "encourage" you to go on leave

[@akorenkov]

@@jeringatai3156 That is the same almost everywhere around the world. Companies don't like employees accumulating too much annual leave. 1. People not taking leave can be unhealthy and companies don't want stressed workers. 2. Its a financial liability for the company.

[@patharris3197]

My first job as a young adult here in the USA i left because i could not use my accrued leave. i have a friend who quit because during the interview she told her employer the date of her wedding and stated she would need that time off to get married in two monthys. two months later she was informed she would be working that day so she left. etc etc. ... these sort of stories are very common in the USA.

[@johntewhauwhau4056]

@@patharris3197 man, that's hard, just move to New Zealand, you won't regret it. Just do it.

[@johntewhauwhau4056]

@@akorenkov yeah, they do that with me too, however most companies usually will comprise if you need to take it when it best suits you.

[@jgroenveld1268]

I realized that as Americans we don't "relax" on our vacations - we clump as much "vacation activities" we can into our vacation and you notice the other tourists of other nations relaxing like they have all the time.... later to realize, they can take an entire month off LOL.

[@roannajellyman1809]

The reason they encourage you to take your leave in NZ is because it accrues so if you don't take it or get it paid out then in a short few years that company could have a big bill hanging over their head they don't want, so they ask you to take your leave

[@michaelheliotis5279]

They usually do also want you to take it for your wellbeing, but yes it does create a financial liability for them so they want to avoid paying out too big a sum at once. Depending on your job and company structure, it can also create a workflow issue, as the longer you take off at once, the harder it is to absorb your workload which may necessitate the additional cost of hiring a temp.

[@chrisharkins6929]

Quick answer regards annual leave, is for every hour you work 8% accrues to your annual leave, whether it as paid to you in your paycheck (casual) or used as a paid holiday. Companies have to allow and expect their employees to take their annual leave annually. If this is allowed to accrue too much it causes them a Financial, Tax & Legal headache that they would rather avoid and hence why a good HR dept. is a must. There are many company owners who have found themselves Blacklisted, Fined and in Jail because they have not adhered to gov't policy and feigning ignorance in NZ is not and excuse. If anyone working in NZ needs advice there is the Citizens Advice Bureau/Winz or IRD who will advise on the phone on what action to take and they are "Hell bent" on stamping out poor employers. Great video and awesome subject to bring up of just how lucky we are in NZ

[@johnlarry5204]

Hello. Roanna

[@mothersuperior6751]

This information gives great cultural context when reading American novels.

[@mg6296]

Awesome video! And apparently the NZ government is doubling paid sick leave to 10 days per year due do covid, and will introduce a new public holiday (Matariki) from 2022, making it the 12th public holiday in NZ :)

[@michaelheliotis5279]

Many workplaces were already granting 10 days of paid annual sick leave, exceeding the statutory minimum of 5, because they understand the value of not having diseases spread around your workforce (especially a smaller one). So when the pandemic hit there was actually a bit of criticism that the statutory minimum hadn't been increased earlier and that it was now quite overdue.

[@snowsansa1527]

I got 25 days annual leave every year and 10 days sick leave, although my sick leaves filed up now.

[@carolkrishnan7842]

In the 1980s before the employment contracts act was introduced, 10 days was the government mandated entitlement.

[@patrickbartley356]

I got covid payment during the lockdown

[@BoldRam]

Here in NZ employers and employees have a 'duty of care, whereby even the CEO is responsible for making sure that everybody is not doing anything that can adversely affect their health. Even eye strain, improper seating etc can all have lasting affects on our bodies so it's their responsibility to prevent any incidents. Also tied to this commitment is NZ's ACC (accident compensation corporation) Employers pay ACC levys and if they have incidents then their levies go up. It's in their interests to make sure their employees are healthy. I'd rather this system that prevents incidents than one that you have to wait till the incident has occured and you get to sue or then be compensated. Not many places in the world I'd rather be. Love your uploads (especially with Christi!!)and so happy you are as proud of our values and lifestyle as we are. :)

[@Tweel_Weight_Plate]

Fitness Gyms in NZ don't care if your hearing gets damaged, gyms are noisy places, not relaxing at all, they cause MORE stress.

[@Hamwcam]

@@Tweel_Weight_Plate my gyms good. 💁‍♂️

[@rouzmattos9440]

Only on paper. In reality, there is abuse.

[@nem447]

You are more productive when you have a good work/life balance....

[@TheRockkickass]

NOT true

[@waiwirir]

I work part-time 56 hours fortnight. I've just been told to take a holiday. My annual leave and alternative is 300 hours. I'm waiting to go to Rarotonga 🤪

[@The2cookiez]

Holy heck 300 hours? Yup you definitely need to go to Raro ☀️

[@jeringatai3156]

Yeah, youre not meant to go over 200hrs. Time to go on annual

[@snowsansa1527]

For us in the healthcare sector, more than 300hrs is normal. At the moment i got 56days holidays and 3 days lieu that is a total of 472hours.

[@ianrobinson4200]

@@snowsansa1527 Some people like to think of it as emergency savings in case they get fired or lose their job and don't like letting it run too low

[@snowsansa1527]

@@ianrobinson4200 you are right, but some of us filed up as it is so hard to get annual leave. Luckily I was able to have a 7 week annual leave last year August-September 2020, otherwise I will have more than 95days now.

[@slartibartfasttynsol420]

Just on the subject of public holidays - you can be asked to work on a public holiday, it's actually a desirable thing to do if you don't have family obligations, because by law they have to pay you 50% extra, and give you an alternative day off. (Unless you were employed specifically to work on the specific holiday.) It varies by employer, but generally you can 'roll-over' unused leave - you can't loose the leave, the employer will either let you roll it over or force you to take it. Where I work they start getting twitchy when you get up to 35 days, but they only force you to take leave once you hit about 50 - one of the guys in my office had to negotiate with HR to only work a 4 day week for a while. I'm not up on the legal details, but the accountant I was talking to says it's considered bad to have too many leave days owing because it shows up in the accounts as a debt. I did hear you can get paid for your leave if you leave the company... Short version, I'm glad I'm in NZ. I work to live, in the US they seem to live to work!

[@marianjeffrey8684]

We get long service of 17 weeks after 10 years in Nursing in Australia as well as 6 weeks a year. I used mine to go back home to UK and to travel the US 6 years ago.

[@michaelheliotis5279]

Yeah, long service leave in AU is pretty neat, and would probably be a good idea in other countries even though the reason for originally establishing it doesn't really apply anymore. It came about because back in the day you had to spend weeks on a boat to travel anywhere outside the country, and much of Australia's workforce were British immigrants and their children, so it was a way to allow those workers to go back to the UK and visit family given the travel constraints of the time. Although AU still does have a relatively large immigrant workforce, you don't need 17 weeks to visit your relatives anymore and thus the original purpose is redundant, but I still think it's a good idea to have a nice break and be rewarded for committing so much time to something. It also encourages and motivates people to remain in stable employment rather than hopping about because they got bored; spending 8 years doing the same thing can get exhausting, but knowing that you'll get a fat holiday in a couple years can push you to stick it out, and often that extended holiday is just what you need to recharge your batteries and refresh your commitment. Are you watching, GCSB? Please tell Aunty Cindy for me! Apparently holidays make for good election promises, so imagine how many votes you could get for promising everyone a 17 week vacation!!!

[@jacobianstangirl]

We'd never get Long service leave in NZ. Push back from National and Employers. Especially employers like Foodstuff (big supermarket chain) they're pushing back on 10 day sick leave

[@tonydoggett7627]

In Australia you get 17.5% more pay when on annual leave. (Leave Loading)

[@jacobianstangirl]

@@tonydoggett7627 I never got that in Oz. In NZ generally annual leave is at a higher rate than your hourly rate. I'm in the hospitality industry, I was paid ordinary hours for my annual leave in oz.

[@tonydoggett7627]

@@jacobianstangirl It depends on your award wages. People such as tradesmen police, nurses & teachers have it. It doesn’t apply to yearly salaries i.e. executives. Sweden is another country that has leave loading.

[@olivermailata8178]

Love that you love Nz and have adapted to our kiwi lifestyle, always good to know your perspective on different views.

[@tinatehaate296]

That’s so sad, after my annual leave, I’m ready to go back to work, motivated and energetic. I remember my manager saying she prefers her staff to take regular holidays they’re more productive when they get back their batteries are recharged.

[@binklebonknz]

When I started working my boss reminded me to work to live not live to work, then he sent me home because I was unwell.

[@gbw28]

😂

[@drunkpeopleareviolentandan4893]

Haha

[@Johnnie999]

How nice 😊

[@michaelheliotis5279]

One thing to note with mandatory public holidays in NZ is that an employer _can_ require you to work on a public holiday (if your contract hasn't stipulated otherwise), but they have to pay you time and a half _and_ you get a "day in lieu". Which is to say, you get a paid day off that you can redeem whenever you want (with notice) to compensate for the holiday you missed. So you're guaranteed to get that number of days off, whether on the holiday in question or another day.

[@MrSasagi]

Love your channel,you look a lot happier now when you first arrived.must be those long holidays and stress free life style 😆 can't wait for the next video.

[@duanehirini2078]

My aunty gets six weeks annual leave a year. When she went to america someone asked how long she was in America for. When she said six weeks they said she must have worked for years to get that. The answer shocked them to the core lol

[@sorettaray8829]

My parents got asked if they had to quit their jobs when they told people they were in the US for two months after a wedding they attended.

[@davidthomas9]

Aussie chiming in here... I was in Vegas a few years back as part of a trip for a friend's wedding. The trip was meant to be 3 weeks, but I took 5 weeks leave. Some of the people that we spoke to asked if I would get in trouble with work for taking that much leave... I told them that it was encouraged by the boss, and then showed them my remaining leave balances, which was around 4 months Rec & Long Service leave. I think there were a few Americans questioning their system that night......

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

@@sorettaray8829 if going to the US, or any other country really, why not tack on a few weeks or so to really explore the place. No point spending thousands just for a few days.

[@forthelove77]

My parents came across this too, they were traveling through the US as part of a big seven week holiday and an American lady was shocked that they didn't have to give up their jobs to do that.

[@easyaspie259]

I work 4 days a week and 3 days off. I love it!! I have been with my employer for nearly 14 yrs. In that time I have been associated with the collective bargaining. We worked hard and get 10 days sick leave after 5 yrs and on your anniversary another 10. Birthday leave, 10 days long service after 10 yrs and 4 days every year after. 5 days bereavement. Hard work got us there

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

Thanks for your work. People forget these things were earned and fought for. Even in NZ people literally died (historically) to secure these rights.

[@dottidal]

Wow, that was incredibly eye opening!!

[@cjstryder5441]

Yep us Kiwis love our holidays we'll even create holidays especially long weekends 😂

[@kytddjj]

Holidays are important, you need to get away from the same old boring.

[@unpluggedkiwi2699]

Everyone needs a break.....a chance to relax and wind down. How else do you releave stress etc.

[@jungleboy928]

There’s also bereavement leave which you get paid for free 😊 1 day bereavement if it’s a cousin/Aunty/friend and 3 days bereavement if it’s immediate family siblings/parent/grandparent 💯

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

Not sure if it's the same for big companies or if it is the same today but I had friends in the trades who were self employed(15 years ago). Their ACC levies were calculated on their professions accident rates as well as their own. As an electrician one paid less for ACC than the one who was a painter. So even a company that is office based has an incentive to reduce injuries like RSI or bad backs from uncomfortable chairs etc. Remember that ACC is not just there to pay for injuries, part of it role is to prevent them in the first place. And since we all contribute to ACC and health-care through levies and taxes it is in all of our interests to reduce injuries.

[@aaronahchee7484]

One thing you forgot to mention, in New Zealand employers can force employees to take leave, this is because employees can accrue leave year on year, and no employer wants to pay someone 3 months leave or more if they hadn’t taken all their 4 weeks leave. Generally as soon as an employees annual leave entitlement reaches 6 weeks, employers will meet with meet with their employee to have them use their leave, otherwise their employer will force the employee to take it.

[@gretchenboyd69]

Too much Annual Leave is a companies liability on its books

[@Heather_T]

The company I work for here in NZ has no set number of sick days available, it is open ended. If you need more than 3 days off in a row our company can ask for a medical certificate. Works because staff don't see sick days as an entitlement to be taken but is there if needed. I went 5 years without a sick day taken. In 2019 I had 10 days sick leave granted for minor operations and one hospital stay. (They trusted me and didn't ask for a med certificate even though I offered one.)

[@launchsquid]

The US values company profits over people's wellbeing. Don't kid yourself, the US is not a leader in innovation by any metric in the OECD, it's about money.

[@snoopythedog3266]

this probably explains why people crack and go out and shoot a bag load if people one day

[@victorsupreme214]

Money drives progress tho

[@tuikarawana7709]

@@victorsupreme214 might have to ask asia about that then

[@kindainvisable]

@@victorsupreme214 no. Ideas do. Work to achieve it is a machinery behind the idea. Work is never the goal

[@barrynichols2846]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH6Zf6tmprN4jZI

[@geensjc]

Dam, this puts things into perspective and makes me feel so grateful and proud to live on this side of the world. Everything you’ve explained about the work environment in the US is mind-blowing and sad! Thanks for sharing and reminding us how fortunate we are 🙏🏾

[@Kiwiamericans]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaygee5693]

Thanks for a really interesting comparison. When you discussed the NZ employers' policies of encouraging their employees to take their annual leave regularly, I was reminded of when I was a manager in NZ in the 1980's. The main reason I encouraged my staff to take their leave, and in big chunks, was to stop their leave from accruing to the point where they might ask for 3 months, or 6 months at a time. It was difficult enough to cross-train and shuffle staff about to cover 2 to 4 week absences, so the less often we had to cover longer term absences the better. Another good reason was financial. If a couple of staff, each with months of annual and weeks of sick leave accrued, were to resign in the same month, the cash payout would hit the department's budget figures.

[@Satya2btrue]

You really need unions in the USA. I’m not sure why on earth people choose to live over there. There appears to be very few benefits in being a USA citizen.

[@karenjenkins201]

I guess you go there if you wonna be famous, or the country you're in is trying to kill you.

[@jeringatai3156]

It has th best entertainment in the world. So if youre in that business, youd have more chances of landing a job there.

[@suzannekirkwood6392]

I thought the US was strong on unions or has that changed?

[@johnlarry5204]

Hello. Vicki

[@theotherwayofstopping4717]

Also NZ has this thing where you don't have to live on tips, which is downright demeaning IMO.

[@tanoz1440]

Yeah I don’t think the tip thing is good, when I was in the US on Holliday , much of the service was poor quality, no happy waitress etc or it was over the top with helicopter waitering where you couldn’t enjoy your meal without being interrupted every 5 minutes being asked if your enjoying your meal or you wanted anything extra , I couldn’t enjoy my meal in peace. I much prefer our system in Aus, which is obviously similar to NZ

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

@@tanoz1440 So Tan now you know all about America because you went on a two-week holiday there! Don't make me laugh. You do not have a clue. Restaurant service in NZ is appalling. Tipping would go along way to fixing this problem.

[@tanoz1440]

@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp we have different expectations, I have heard Americans complain here but they Luke being founded over I think, we don’t like that, we like to get our food, and be left alone to eat and if we need your attention we will let you know.

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

@@tanoz1440 Tan there is no escaping that restaurant service in New Zealand leaves much to be desired. Try to get the attention of a New Zealand waitress - good luck with that! They don't care. They know they will get paid even if they do a lousy job. Why tipping would be really beneficial in New Zealand.

[@tanoz1440]

@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp it may depend on the establishment, as I’m sure most people trying to run a business would have an expectation of their staff providing good service. But maybe NZ is different. I have not been there.

[@josephdouglas9685]

I don't think that long hours drive innovative ideas. That is an idea promoted by business. An advantage NZ has is a safety net, education system, and economic freedom that allows budding entrepreneurs to reduce risk. A disadvantage is a small economy and market distance.

[@annemacnaughtan3598]

I totally agree. Lack of work life balance kills innovation. It is the company owners that make the money in the US and not the workers.

[@Muritaipet]

Just to clarify something you said at the beginning. Your employer can require you to work on one of the 11 public holidays. But if they do, they are required to pay you 1.5 times your hourly or daily rate, and give you an additional days annual leave. It's commonly called "Time and a half, and a day in lieu"

[@Kiwiamericans]

Ahh makes sense.. thanks for the clarification

[@Muritaipet]

@@Kiwiamericans There are also specific rules around businesses opening Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac day. It's complex, so I won't try and explain it. But if you want to know www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/public-holidays/restricted-shop-trading-days/

[@squiddybilly]

It's AT LEAST time and half. I've worked in jobs in New Zealand where you get paid double time to work on a public holiday.

[@Muritaipet]

@@squiddybilly Who was that, out of curiousity?

[@Kiwichick138]

Also in NZ if you are on annual leave and you get sick, you are entitled to change that time to sick leave. The reason for that is to ensure you get rest, relaxation recreation so you go back to work mentally ready to work well and stay healthy. Mind you a lot of employers are not aware of that law...

[@Kiwiamericans]

I know right!!! So amazing

[@duanehirini2078]

I remember in the mid nineties when I had my first experience with HR. She was a young thing fresh out of uni and in a remote outback mining town. About ten of us doing training for our loader ticket, half of them with the "I've been doing this for decades, why do I suddenly need a ticket" vibe. Then she arrives to present the tickets. And left five minutes later in tears lol. Tough gig. Pen pusher whose never been in a loader forcing men who can do acrobatics and high five each other with the loader to get a ticket didn't go down too well. Still trying to figure out their job. As a union rep I think its "sociology and psychology says this, so we should do this". Something to that effect. They lean on a lot of studies and research. Just applying it effectively into a business needs more work.

[@aprilneho6165]

I'm a nurse in Sydney, Kiwi in Sydney and have colleagues taking leave for 8 weeks to travel overseas. We feel so good for them and appreciate that. Yes we DO value their contribution to work, and yet, highly value their time away spent with family. Honestly, I'm gonna miss them, but we're very lucky here in NZ and Australia.

[@Kiwiamericans]

That is awesome!

[@jeromegray7170]

Hey, I loved this video. Very eye opening about the USA. Just a little extra info around public holidays in NZ. Companys can make you work on a public holiday, however they have to give you 1 alternate holiday (like 1 extra day of annual leave to take on a day of your choice) also most companys pay you time and a half if you work a public holiday (sometimes more, like double or triple time). I o ly know this as I work in hospitality and I work most public holidays. In 2019 I worked all 11 public holidays, but it meant I accrued an extra 11 alternate holidays which is basically two weeks annual leave. I prefer working public holidays cause its extra money and I can take the time off when I want it. Hope this was insightful😁.

[@tanoz1440]

Oh wow what a great learning curve to finally find out your a valued individual rather that just a cog in the machine, that’s a lovely thing to realise

[@leannetarrant1552]

Also, if you have a casual/temp contract then you get paid your annual leave at 8% each pay period, instead of you actually having 4 weeks paid leave.

[@nzlchick]

6 weeks of is not a sabbatical! That's just a holiday (vacation). 😄 At my work we get 5 weeks annual leave and if you accrue more than 35 days HR will put you on a red list that is sent to your division manager so they can put pressure on you to take it. Not having holidays is not healthy and is less productive, not more. How can you be productive when you are stressed and exhausted?

[@bhanani5480]

Really interesting comparison. I'm a newbie to your channel and I'm really loving them, keep up the great work.

[@angelpryor6978]

I would live to chat with you sometime and swap stories! I have been here 2 years and absolutely love it!!!!!

[@lojg6698]

I really like your videos and yes i remember my health and safety appointment for my desk and chair and screens and other things. It was eye opening for me and I practice daily. I am really grateful as well. small exercises but really important I've found. Thanks for your view and comparisons much appreciated. :)

[@globallibran378]

Thanx for the great info! May have to check out coming to NZ from the US now😊

[@mariafrancebraindamage3660]

I am astonished about the lack of holidays in the U.S. Enjoy NZ is all I can say. I have worked in London earlier in my life and I remember working for the C.P.S (Crown prosecution service) library in 1989 !! This was an overwhelming working environment : )

[@johnlarry5204]

Hello. Maria

[@mirandawrights3196]

Stories like this make me so thankful, Toku aroha mutungakore ma Aotearoa toku turangawaewae, tino pai rawa tenei waahi ma nga tangata katoa, kia mau te wehi!

[@Kiwiamericans]

Thanks for watching Miranda!

[@jacobianstangirl]

Australia is very similar, they have 10 sick days, NZ will be getting 10 sick days. Australia has one better, they have long service leave. Something like if you work 7 years your entitled to LSL, which is something like 3 months holiday pay on top of your annual leave. Full time and part time contracts accur annual leave, casuals are not entitled to annual leave, but are usually on a higher pay rate

[@aprilneho6165]

Same thing here in Australia. I'm a kiwi living in Sydney, and the same thing applies. I'm a Registered Nurse and it's compulsory to take my 1 hour break on a 9 hour shift, either in 2 breaks eg. 15 minutes, then 45 minutes, or in a 1 hour block. 4 weeks paid A/L plus 5 paid sick days. You can also accumulate your A/L, and if you have over 6 weeks A/L, you're forced to take leave, or continue working and get PAID OUT!

[@elahhale9057]

With the changes to the employment act (1991 I think), we shifted from more unitary to a bit more plurism - Collective contracts to either or individual contracts. Collective had more bargaining power if trouble brewed, but individual allowed for personal bargaining away from the group. Good if you had better skills then the rest. Any how... With the increasing number of immigrants, especially from countries that are not well known for their care of people let alone workers rights, (not referring to America by the way), individual contracts can prove to be seen to be moving away from caring and more toward slaving. Easily done when the immigrants in question are taking ownership of the businesses. In my small town, it has become increasingly obvious as one after another of the towns shops, restaurants, bars, fast food outlets, and ownership of commercial business properties are being bought buy one particular nationality. They are nice people, but they bring with them the work ethic of their homeland and because its inbred into their psyche, these ways are becoming part of how they run their business and the treatment of staff and the make up of the individual employment contracts. Thankfully there are still checks and balances in play to avoid a total landslide into what I would term slave labour. My thoughts only... But look around your little towns near you and see if you can see a pattern..

[@libbysevicke-jones3160]

That is why it is important to gather information about these employers and dobe them into the authorities. In New Zealand, ignorance of our employment laws is not an excuse in the employment courts. The fines for abusing our employment laws and employees is massive. Unfortunately a lot of these employers use workers from their own countries or school leavers, who don’t know their rights and are too afraid to complain in case they lose their jobs; not been aware that if they do get sacked for complaining about their work conditions, it’s the employers who get in trouble.

[@elahhale9057]

@@libbysevicke-jones3160 you are so right. 👍😊

[@bryanx68]

As an American I just can't imagine this kind of workplace either as new zealand have. Its like a miracle. New zealand just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait until borders are open. I want to get a holiday visa and experience this beautiful country. I want to call this home and have my children there and teach them the value of personal health and relaxation and respect for all things. Gosh it just sounds are too good to be true but I wholeheartedly believe all the videos out there. Its like finding that needle in a haystack except its paradise and tranquility.

[@danzbjj]

very similar in Australia, 6 weeks lol.. thats not a sabbatical, thats just a slightly longer holiday :) i just had 5 weeks off - 24th Dec to 1st Feb. A sabbatical is like 6 months, and with enough notice, that'd be fine. Land of the free sounds horrible when explained like this...

[@seanoloughlin23]

The collective bargaining agreement involves unions and the employees. With me I will only use my leave when I have things planned for. Sick leave I have ample and because with this virus we will now get 10 days sick leave. Unions have been the best and the odd time the worse depending on things.

[@melblue4953]

If haven't already you should see what paid parental leave or maternity leave pay is

[@sonnyday6830]

I always take a month off every year as it feels like a real holiday, also under H&S you have to take a break and also not work too many hours otherwise H&S will be on your employers arse.

[@andrewmichaelcrook340]

Hi Its a wonderful cannel and like New Zealand the mandatory standard is 8 hours work 8 resting 8 sleep a balance so we or more likely to enjoy your family friends play simply a better life

[@jaclynsmith160]

In NZ, regarding public holidays, If you are asked by your employer to work public holidays (and they have to ask and you can say no) you are then paid 1.5x your usual hourly rate and have a day in lieu, a paid day off that you can use at later day when you want. Also if you do have the day off, you are paid your usual wage.

[@raeward1605]

Thank you. I love your channel and have shared it to my Facebook page. 👏👏❤

[@davideast1313]

I worked in the US for a few years. I was working one job and had several developers working for me in a team. It was weeks before I realised that these young developers wouldn’t leave work in the evening until I had left. They couldn’t leave before the boss, even if they’d been at their desk for 10 hours straight??

[@apeasantspointofview394]

I worked a public holiday once here in nz and my family was so upset I wasnt there for the day. I missed a great lunch and catching up with family. Ii will never work public holiday again. It isnt worth missing out on family.

[@person2463]

In Australia 4weeks. (20 days) per annum. Plus public holidays plus 10days sick leave. After ten years 3months long service leave with 9 days added each year. We value time off. And if you have too much you must take some. People need to rest and de-stress. This must be why everyone in us is in Therapy... They can't breathe

[@simont9833]

I have found your comparison interesting, thank you for sharing.

[@gnrsgl]

So true Wendy's(USA company) has just got in trouble for not paying employees correct annual leave in NZ twice! In the past couple of years

[@ottosound]

We also have long service leave in Australia. If you work at one place for 10 years you get an additional 13 weeks off on top your annual leave.

[@willjctm1763]

I work in a saw mill and We get our 4 weeks of in summer love it I get to go see family in Australia up north all in 4weeks,I feel refreshed and ready to smash it at mahi👍👍we don't realise how lucky we are in New Zealand 👍we do 42.50 hours a week plus 6 hours ot on Saturdays if it's our sat on.

[@Kiwiamericans]

Thanks for sharing

[@maireadoneill7052]

I'm a Kiwi and I've just found your channel - really interesting. My comment would be that when you said "in America work is valued", what i heard was "In America exploitation of the working class by those in power is normalized".

[@JoshuaJohnsonOutdoors]

Great video, thank you. I've lived in NZ for the last 11 years and am posturing to move back to the midwest (Minnesota). Do you know if the work culture has changed much in the last decade? I'm actually pretty apprehensive about moving back, because (as an engineer at least) I never found the work / life balance in the USA very palatable. Thanks again.

[@Kiwiamericans]

Well Josh there is hope with a particular company you work for. I know there are some companies that are more reasonable and offer more of a balance.

[@clifftucker8721]

The conditions are largely the same in Australia too. Our long service leave is typically 3 months (12 weeks) after working in the same company (or industry) every 10 years, and 6 months (24 weeks) after 20 years and so on. In a modern working world with part time and a roving and seasonal type work force between employers at times, some industries offer a portable LSL arrangement and employees in a leave 'fund' type arrangement like a bank account for hours earnt for long service and the $$ accumulated to fund & buffer the employee/employer leave cost for your leave. bereavement leave to get to attend a funeral and so on. It provides a host of economic benefits too, the local shops and seasonal tourism industry for example serving their customer during the holiday peak periods.

[@brianvergara1]

Before University, I took a gap year and was working at Burger King full time. I accumulated so much annual leave hours that I was able to go to Europe for a couple months. I was paid while I was travelling around. After getting back to New Zealand, I went back to work until I left my town to go to University.

[@THLLS-ej2tq]

That it's why NZ and Aus are years ahead with things like bridged Long Service. Meaning you can transfer from employer you employer wherever you may work next.

[@briandoyle7062]

I like your channel! It’s getting the point of life..out there! Enjoy! Life is to short

[@makaea97]

I worked at a desk job for a number of years and it's commonly place to have someone come along and make sure your desk and equipment is set up properly for you. Also there used to be 5min micro pauses that you had take and if you ignored them say twice, the third one stopped you from doing anything on your PC, not good if you were in the middle of a call...hahahha.

[@konikuz]

A lot of companies in NZ also allow you to accrue your sick leave too. Our company thanks to the our Union has allowed us to accrue upto a maximum of 140 days of sick leave that can later be paid out upon resignation along with any annual leave you may have

[@thatsocialworkguy2556]

The update is that nz sick leave will be increased to 10 days per annum. And also 26 weeks paid parental leave in the near future.

[@jamesteiwimate172]

I just came from Wikipedia, looked at all available countries on that page, and😱😱😱 just 😱. Like you said. 0 0 0

[@nzihatebarney]

You can also cash in up to one week holiday of your four each year. Ie You can take three weeks holiday and be paid the equivalent of one weeks pay in lieu of the time off

[@tigertiger1699]

For instance how can someone claim to be free/ the most free.. if you scared of loosing your job..?

[@Satya2btrue]

Certainly not the land of the free. Very controlled and bound up by their slave conditions.

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

... and your family's healthcare with it!

[@tigertiger1699]

@@hendrikvanleeuwen9110 Mate, I can’t imagine living in that system.. in a nation that doesn’t have enough “community” to declare/ assert whatever.. that healthcare is for all.. shared by all

[@tigertiger1699]

@@hendrikvanleeuwen9110 I guess it highlights just how lucky we are in so many other developed nations.. the we started a bit later or whatever... that our forbears were able develop.. things differently.? Than the US “I’m ok, let me do what I want..”?

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

@@tigertiger1699 Fortunately we have never been under the illusion that we are god's gift to civilisation. I hope we don't get too smug with our recent successes. We still have a dark side, and alot of hardworking people are struggling daily. Holiday pay doesn't count for much when you are behind on bills, thanks to exorbitant rent. Not to mention child poverty/abuse, high suicide rates and the like. We have a long way to go.

[@rmanuel67]

My company is on my case to take Annual Leave because I have accumulated too much because of COVID-19, it's a good thing to ensure their workers get a break. Can not believe about the States and Annual Leave plus Public Holidays, so glad to be here.

[@annieroberts6500]

Hello KiwiAmericans, I am one also but I have been here 20 years from Louisiana. I am in Wainuiomata but work at Te Papa. Just come in and ask for the Louisiana tour guide. I would love to meet you and maybe answer any questions you might have for someone who has been here for so long. Love this video. Been following without borders and saw you there. Have fun.

[@brianmeadows1137]

Been to the states CA 82-84 I'm 14 in 84. So glad to be back on my Whenua

[@AG-kt6cd]

some company's offer more than 4 weeks, and there are extra benefits if you have a baby (paid leave and your employer keeping your job available for a year)

[@Kiwiamericans]

Yeah - I just read up on that - shocking how amazing that is!!!

[@ioanapone3576]

Some places in NZ after a certain time receive 6 weeks annual leave and 10 days sick days... For example, Working for Corrections you can accumulate sick days (10 days a year) if you don't use them. Also 6 weeks Annual Leave where they encourage you to take otherwise they'll roster you to take leave.

[@Chris-sx7sj]

American here. Love your channel. My wife and I are interested in moving to New Zealand, but I don't think we have "in-demand" skills so it might be harder for us. (Anyone need a meteorologist (me) or an English/theater teacher (my wife)). Might have to pick up software development. My experience with vacation has generally been I get two weeks (10 business days) of paid leave a year, but I've had to build up my paid-time-off hours based on the number of scheduled hours. So with my current company it started with zero PTO hours, but after a few weeks I had built up a day or two's worth of vacation time. If you take no vacations, then you have two weeks by the end of the year. My company is a little better than others in that we do get multiple holidays a year. With those you either take the holiday off, or you get to use the holiday another time if you had to work it. (The weather never stops, ya know?). In total I usually get about three weeks a year of PTO, but I don't know anyone that uses more than one week at a time. Living far from both sides of the family, it makes it hard to see everyone when you only have a week to crisscross several states and see everyone. A one month vacation sounds amazing. You hit the nail on the head though with the struggle of taking a "true" vacation. Its somewhat regular that even on my off days, I'll get a text saying there's a very important email I need to respond to or that I need to give so-and-so a quick call. My work isn't crazy with that kind of stuff, but it still happens somewhat consistently and it drives me crazy.

[@roannajellyman1809]

Teachers are in short supply here in nz...

[@Chris-sx7sj]

@@roannajellyman1809 I did hear that was the case. I was under the impression that it was specifically for STEM fields, but if I'm wrong that's good news for her. Thank you.

[@Kobe24NZ]

You can check the NZ Govt site on the skill shortage, skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/ The Regional skill shortage list need teachers.

[@elahhale9057]

Just apply Chris, you never know your luck... You sound like you have good skills that could easily be changed up to fit holes. Kiwis are very innovative, and think outside the box (well the kiwis of yester year, not sure bout these days 🤣) 👍

[@Chris-sx7sj]

@@elahhale9057 That's very motivating, thank you. I think the toughest part right now are the unknowns of COVID. I think once we both get vaccinated, we'll start actively working on the process.

[@christinetilley5101]

Hi really enjoy your videos. We have 10 paid Statutory Holidays a year. 2 weeks holiday after 1st year of employment, 2 weeks after 5 years and 4 weeks after 10 years. I live in Canada.

[@alexvdl1]

The number of payed sick days in NZ was recently increased to 10 days

[@clairefalvey6813]

I have been working overseas for the last few years and its striking how much kiwis value fairness and this work -life balance. Living in Malaysia where you had so many public holidays for multiple religious/cultural events and then they would tack on a few random one off events. You felt like you were constantly having another day off. In China its a different thing. They give you a public holiday - which maybe on a Thursday, so they give you the Friday off as well, BUT you have to work that day off on a weekend, just prior or just after that time off. If they give you 2 extra days off, then you are working a weekend day over 2 weekends....That means EVERYTHING is open, banks etc. The motto here seems to be, once you open your eyes in the morning, you should be working (bar when having leisurely meals) and during holidays....work. I am at a school and the poor students are working at school until EVERY night until 8:30pm. I keep thinking of how different it is in NZ. Get the work done, but enjoy your time off and recharge.

[@ronprichard6145]

Sitting eight hours a day at an office desk can cause deep vein thrombosis similar to sitting in an airliner. Companies in NZ will sometimes want people to take leave because it shows as a debt in the books. Also it's part of internal controls, if somebody is stealing from the company they normally won't want to take leave.

[@glennmclaren3108]

I'm a Kiwi that works for a large multinational software company here in the US. We have UNLIMITED paid vacation and UNLIMITED sick leave. Unfortunately all that means is no one takes much at all (for the reasons mentioned in this video). With an annual allowance (that you lose if you don't take it) it is much easier to justify taking the time IMO. Of course my company is not the norm. It is a tech company in a very competitive job market where people are highly sort after and get to pick and choose the company they work for.

[@linscott4470]

I’ve worked for the same company for 31yrs. On 10 yrs service & 15 yrs you get an additional 2 weeks long service leave and 2 weeks pay bonus. On 20 yrs and every 5 yrs thereafter you get 2 weeks long service leave and 4 weeks pay bonus.

[@universalradio6944]

Here in NZ, from day one you accumulate holiday pay at a rate of 8% of salary earnt. So if you leave after 6 months your employer would owe you 2 weeks leave. This is why you are encouraged to take leave as it sits as a debt on the company books.

[@paulrichards2409]

Plus in aussie you get 27% on top of your holiday pay because when your working you might do some payed overtime so the extra 27% is to give you around the same paybacks when on holidays