Feeling overworked and dying for more holidays? Move to Japan.
When it comes to typical paid time off, Canadians receive among the least-generous entitlements in the world, according to a study of 19 countries by human resources consulting firm Mercer LLC.
At 31 days a year, Canada ranked third-last in measuring typical paid time off for vacation, public holidays and other statutory leave, according to Mercer. That tied with New Zealand, and was ahead of only Australia (at 30 days), and the United States right at the bottom, at 28 days.
Japan ranked at the top, with 44 days of paid time off, followed by Brazil and Lithuania, tied at 41 each.
Mercer based its calculations on an employee working five days a week, with 10 years of service. The totals do not factor in personal days or sick leave.
Danielle Bushen, a principal with Mercer Canada Ltd., noted some munificence beyond the legal requirements in Canada. For example, there are an average of eight legislated statutory holidays across the country, but typical practice is to give 11 days off. Similarly, employers would be required to give two weeks of vacation time to someone with that decade of service, but typical practice is to give four weeks off, she said.
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How we stack up
| Country | Paid time off* |
| Japan | 44 |
| Brazil | 41 |
| Lithuania | 41 |
| Russia | 40 |
| France | 40 |
| Finland | 40 |
| Sweden | 39 |
| Austria | 38 |
| Hong Kong | 37 |
| Greece | 37 |
| Norway | 37 |
| U.K. | 36 |
| Poland | 36 |
| Netherlands | 36 |
| Denmark | 34 |
| New Zealand | 31 |
| Canada | 31 |
| Australia | 30 |
| U.S. | 28 |
*Figures are based on typical practice for total vacation or paid time off for an employee working five days a week, with 10 years of service, including all statutory holiday requirements and public holidays, but not including personal days or sick leave. Source: Mercer