Brits are only just realising shocking detail about working in the US
There are many significant differences between life in the UK and the US – but one major contrast has only just come to light for some on both sides of the Atlantic – and it concerns employment rights.
A TikTok account dedicated to sharing the reactions to social matters in both countries has caused a stir after an American couple were left stunned by an apparent major perk of working in the UK. The clip details ‘basic workers’ rights’ in which it is revealed full time workers in the UK are guaranteed 28 days of paid annual leave.
“Six weeks paid time off? That is insane to us! What do you guys do with all that time off?” another American couple asked in the video. The video’s narrator explained: “As you can tell from the reactions, the situation here [US] is quite dire – employers are not required legally to give any paid time off to their employees at all, not even holidays and even Christmas.”
He continued: “Of course, many employers do choose to give time off as a benefit because they want to get employees that way!” Citing Seattle-based Amazon as an example, he added that the company provides staff with 10-15 days off.
Still gobsmacked, the American couple responded: “So you get double the time off [of those Amazon workers] just for working a minimum wage job in the UK to working a full time, high upper level Amazon worker in the US. That’s crazy.”
Indeed, Foothold America informs: ” US workers are not legally entitled to any paid holiday at all. However, in reality, most US employers offer paid vacation time to their workers. The number of days varies from employer to employer, but on average, US workers receive around ten days of paid holiday each year.
“In addition, time off is often accrued, which means that US staff will need to be working in their job for 12 months before they’re entitled to ten days of holiday.” The TikTok video proved both educational and shocking to those in the UK, with many realising they could have it a lot worse.
“Scotland here – I have 30 days to take when I like,” one person responded. “I have four holidays booked so far including trips to Italy and France. I honestly think the USA live in the dark ages in many aspects.”
Another poked fun at the US: “Land of the free? Land of the freedom to work 365 days of the year.” A third person reacted in shock: “I get 28 days annual leave and 13 public holidays, I could not imagine working the US and getting little or no leave. Work to live not live to work we have a life.”
A fourth TikTok user added: “At my company, we get 28 as standard, earn extra with long service so can go up to 35, and we can ‘buy’ up to three weeks and pay via salary sacrifice at half price. It’s mad that the US have so little.”
However, a fifth told the Americans that not every aspect of working life in the UK is so great. “We also get paid significantly less in the UK, get taxed significantly more, have much higher house prices and can’t see a doctor,” they replied. “Swings and roundabouts.”