How many hours per week do they work in different countries? How and how much people work and rest in different countries of the world

According to a study conducted by the Organization economic cooperation and Development (OECD), the hardest working country in the world is Mexico, with 2,246 hours worked per year. This, frankly speaking, is an unexpected result, because it is generally accepted that Latin Americans do not like to work.

Meanwhile, every year Mexican citizens have to work more and more. Thus, in 2015, each Mexican worked on average 18 hours more than in 2014. According to The World Factbook, 61.9% of Mexicans are employed in the service sector, 24.1% in industry, 13.4% in agriculture, and the average annual real salary (calculated at purchasing power parity) for a Mexican citizen is $14,867.

Despite the hard work, Mexico ranks second to last in terms of the amount of rest: vacation in Mexico for a year of work is only six days. Only the Filipinos rest less: their vacation lasts five days.

In addition, Mexico has 15 public holidays, including New Year, Constitution Day and Flag Day, during which residents of the country do not work.

In second place is Mexico's geographic neighbor, Costa Rica. Costa Ricans work only 16 hours less per year than Mexicans. Moreover, a few years ago, the championship in workaholism belonged to Costa Ricans.

It is worth noting that thanks to such diligence, in 2000-2013, the country’s GDP grew by 4.5% per year. The majority of Costa Ricans - 64% - are employed in the service sector, 22% - in industry and only 14% - in agriculture. Thanks to hard work, Costa Rica has practically managed to overcome poverty: only 12% of the country's population lives below the poverty line, although the regional average is no less than 50%.

Costa Ricans, unlike Mexicans, are okay with vacations. According to the country's constitution, every worker has the right to one day's rest after six consecutive days of work and to annual paid leave, the duration and timing of which shall be regulated by law, but which in no case shall be less than two weeks for every 50 consecutive weeks worked. Moreover, Costa Rica has 16 public holidays, on which citizens also rest.

South Korea closes the top three workaholic countries with 2,113 working hours per year. But Koreans spent 11 hours less on work in 2015 than in 2014, according to the OECD.

However, despite the reduced work hours, more than 2,000 hours a year for a high-tech economy is quite a lot, given the fact that more than a quarter of Koreans work ten or more hours a day.

It is worth noting that the average annual real salary of a South Korean resident is $33,110. Moreover, the majority of the population - 70.2% - is employed in the service sector, 24.2% - in industry, and 5.7% - in agriculture.

For the sake of a career, Koreans ignore family and labor laws: six-day work week here the norm is rather than the exception, and short vacations are only three days a year, instead of the 10 days required by law.

There are only 13 public holidays: citizens of the Republic of Korea rest not only on the New Year, but also on Children’s Day, Remembrance Day (in memory of those who died in the struggle for independence or military service) and on Constitution Day.

Greeks don't sleep

Perhaps the main surprise of the OECD study is the fact that fourth place was taken by Greece, a country whose inhabitants in Europe are considered almost the main lazy people of the continent.

In fact, Greeks work 2,042 hours a year. And every year, Greek citizens have to work more and more. Thus, in 2015, each Greek worked on average 16 hours more than in 2014, and the average annual real salary of a Greek citizen was $25,211.

In Greece people work on average 43.7 hours per week. According to The World Factbook, 72.4% of workers are employed in the service sector, 15% in industry, and 12.6% in agriculture.

The Greeks' vacation lasts 20 days, but they are luckier with public holidays than other hardworking countries: there are as many as 18 of them in Greece. In addition to the classic weekends on New Year's and Labor Day, the Greeks also relax on St. Nicholas the Wonderworker's Day and Greek Independence Day .

The top five workers are closed by the Chileans with 1988 hours per year. Official vacation in Chile lasts 15 days. There are exactly the same number of public holidays and weekends in the country. These include not only Christmas and Independence Day, but also Labor Day, All Saints' Day, Army Day and even Corpus Christi.

Following the Chileans Russia is coming(1978 hours per year). Moreover, in the crisis year of 2015, every resident of Russia worked on average seven hours less than in 2014. However, Russians clearly do not like to overwork: only 0.2% of residents worked more than required.

It is not surprising that most of the population is employed in the service sector: 63% of workers, 27.6% in industry and only 9.4% in agriculture. At the same time, the average monthly accrued wages in 2015, according to Rosstat, amounted to 33,925 rubles.

It is worth noting that in Russia there is quite a long vacation: 28 calendar days. Moreover, for some citizens an extended vacation is provided. Thus, employees of the Investigative Committee rest for 30 calendar days, minors - 31 days, and employees of professional emergency rescue services and units have the right to rest for up to 40 days, depending on their length of service.

To all this are added 14 more public holidays - non-working days. Moreover, in none of the above countries there is New Year holidays, as in Russia.

Relaxed Europeans

Oddly enough, but, according to the OECD, the recognized economic leader of Europe and the world - Germany - is not at all a champion in working hours. Germans work significantly less than both Greeks and Russians - on average 1,371 hours per year.

In terms of a working week, this is only 26.3 hours. 74% of workers are employed in the service sector, and about 25% in industry. The fewest Germans are employed in agriculture: just over 1%, according to The World Factbook report.

Moreover, the number of vacation days in Germany is one of the largest: wage-earners can rest 30 days a year. This is stated in the report of the European Fund for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

But the number of public holidays here depends on the lands themselves (as they are called territorial units inside the country). Thus, nine holidays are celebrated in all 16 lands, and in addition to these nine holidays, additional ones are established in eleven lands.

Slightly more Germans work in the Netherlands (1,419 hours per year). It is worth noting that in the mid-2000s, the Dutch government was the first in the world to introduce a working week of less than 30 hours. Moreover, the Dutch themselves want to work even less. That is why many enterprises in the country are increasingly introducing a 4-day working week. At the same time, a Dutchman's working day lasts on average 7 hours and 30 minutes. 81% of residents are employed in the service sector, 17% in industry and about 2% in agriculture.

The Dutch have an average vacation in Europe - 4 weeks, that is, 20 calendar days. In addition, there are 9 main holidays in the Netherlands. Among them are King's Day, Liberation Day, Trinity Day and St. Nicholas Day. Despite the fact that the latter is not a state holiday, the Dutch do not work on this day.

In Scandinavian countries they also do not process much. In Norway people work 1,424 hours a year, in Denmark - 1,457 hours. Confessed amateurs beautiful life- the French - and they work more than the Germans (1482 hours per year).

France is a country with a 35-hour work week, long lunch breaks and even longer vacations. However, not every Frenchman works 35 hours: this figure is simply a threshold after which overtime hours begin for additional pay. That is why many residents of the country are ready to work more than normal.

According to the French government, 50% of full-time workers claimed overtime in 2010, and 44% of lawyers worked more than 55 hours in 2008, according to the French National Bar Association. 76% of French people work in the service sector, 21% in industry and only 3% in agriculture.

In France, official paid leave is 25 days a year. Taking into account 10 official holidays The French take an average of 35 days off per year. They rest on Victory Day, All Saints' Day and traditionally Christmas.

Six hours or three days off

However, there are countries that are not included in this rating, but are still ready for changes in the working rhythm. For example, Sweden recently completed a two-year experiment to introduce a 6-hour working day. True, the employees of a nursing home in Gothenburg, who were lucky enough to become participants in such an innovation, were upset.

The study showed that the health of employees has improved, which has reduced their time on sick leave, and patient care has also improved, but the city will not continue the experiment on an ongoing basis: it is too expensive.

It turned out that in order to allow 68 nurses to work 30 hours a week instead of 40, the city would have to hire an additional 17 people, which would cost the treasury over a million euros, Bloomberg notes.

And the Belgian design studio Central, in order to increase the efficiency of its employees, offered them, no less, a third day off, which employees can dispose of at their own discretion.

It is noteworthy that this innovation really made it possible to increase work efficiency and speed of task completion, because a rested and happy employee is a productive employee, the company noted.

The other day, several Russian officials immediately raised the issue of the length of the working day and working week, or rather. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Labor Minister Maxim Topilin predicted that the working day in Russia would be reduced to 4-6 hours in the future. The deputy chairman of the Bank of Russia was also there, who suggested that in the next 15 years, Friday in our country will become a day off. Adding all this up, in the most favorable scenario we can get a 4-day work week, the duration of which will be 14-24 hours. All this will become real thanks to labor automation and the widespread use of robots...

And even though all this is more reminiscent of the scenario of another, futuristic Russia, there are still trends in the world to reduce work time. And what is noteworthy in this matter is that the length of time spent at work is not at all interconnected with the final economic results of the country - most successful countries have a much shorter working week. Although this, however, is not always reflected in the actual time worked. Taking this into account, Careerist.ru decided to find out where in the world the law establishes the shortest working day and working week. The Netherlands unexpectedly became the winner.

1. Netherlands

This European kingdom suddenly became a country with the shortest working week - there it is only 27 hours, despite the fact that the average working day lasts about 7.5 hours. In the mid-00s, the Dutch were the first in the world to introduce a working week of less than 30 hours, and this did not have any negative effect on the economy. Many citizens of the kingdom work 4 weeks a week, and almost always these are young parents, but there are also examples when entire enterprises implement such a schedule. With all this, the Dutch occupy second to last place in the world in terms of the amount of time worked - only the Germans work less than them. Thus, according to OECD data, in 2015 in the Land of Tulips, on average, only about 1.4 thousand hours were worked (in Russia - 1.98 thousand hours).

Agree, it's impressive. But even such records do not stop the Dutch - they want to work even less. Those who decide to do this switch to hourly wage rates. There, an hour of work on average costs employers about $30...

2. Finland

The Finns are also doing well – their working week may be only 32 hours, although they work an average of 38 hours– such a working week is usually established employment contracts. It is also interesting that in Finland there are also maximum limits working week – no more than 40 hours. It is noteworthy that the Finns themselves are sure that they work the least in Europe – this data is provided by the Finnish Center economic research, citing Eurostat. Local analysts say short work hours have a negative impact on the state's economy and competitiveness, although the average hourly wage of $33 casts doubt on such claims.

3. France

The French are also far from the most important workaholics in the world; their working week officially lasts 35 hours. And strangely enough, trade unions continue to wage a long-term struggle to reduce it, and reduce the working day to 6 hours - this issue was even raised as part of the recent presidential election campaign there. And most importantly, this should not affect the 1.5 hour lunch break! The indicator of time worked per year is only 1.48 thousand hours. But at the same time, not all French people prefer to work 7 hours a day - at least 50% of workers work 1-2 hours more. More than a third of lawyers manage to work 55 hours a week! Why then are they fighting to shorten the working week? Overtime – here they are paid more generously than regular working hours.

4. Ireland

AND The Irish are not far behind the French - they work 35.3 hours a week. Although, unlike its neighbors in the rating, Ireland is openly inferior to them in economic development, as well as in the matter of implementation modern technologies. Interestingly, back in the 80s, the Irish worked much more than their territorial neighbors - local standards established a working week of 44 hours. Today they have been significantly reduced, but economic indicators have not increased as a result. Low development adds salt local market labor, Brexit in 2016 and other problems that force the Irish to go to work in neighboring England. By the way, as in Finland, Irish legislation establishes a maximum working week, which since 1997 should not exceed 48 working hours. So the range is impressive.

5. Israel

Israel, despite all expectations, also occupies a good position in terms of the length of the working week - the average is only 36.3 hours. The expert community says about Israelis that they work little, but do a lot. There is an opinion in the world that the citizens of Israel are hardworking people, although they themselves consider themselves a lazy nation. This is not to say that the Israelis do not have economic problems, but we need to make allowances for the frozen conflict in the country. By the way, the officially established average is 42 hours, and only after that do overtime begin to be counted.

6. Denmark

Denmark has not only the happiest pensioners, but also the happiest workers - their working week is 37.5 hours. But don't think that they work them out completely. Thus, many institutions also include a 30-minute lunch break during these hours, which reduces the amount of time worked to 35 hours. The average Dane spends about 7 hours and 20 minutes at work per day, but at the same time earns quite serious money even for Europe - a whopping 37.5 € per hour, which is a third more than the EU average. By the way, according to OECD data, the average hours worked are also quite low and incomparable with Russian ones - in 2015, the average Dane worked about 1.45 thousand hours.

7. Germany

The whole world is sure that the Germans are the most hardworking nation in the world, and the residents of Germany themselves are in no hurry to dispel this stereotype. Although statistical indicators indicate the opposite. Having legally established working week of 38 working hours, Germans work on average only 1.37 thousand hours per year, which allows them to occupy a leading position by working the least in the world (working the least number of hours in the world, to be more correct). In terms of a working week, that's just over 26 hours! But as everyone knows, due to high productivity, this does not at all affect the country’s economic indicators. At the same time, the minimum hourly rate is 8.5 €, and the average is about 25 €. Yes, one can only envy the productivity of the Germans.

8. Belgium

Recently they have been working 38 hours a week in Belgium too– the corresponding bill was adopted there in 2016. Upper limits were also set - a maximum of Belgians can work 45 hours a week. Although 38 hours is enough for them, the average hourly wage in the country exceeds 39 €, which allows them to be leaders in this indicator among the EU countries. The average working day is impressive - which for the average Belgian lasts only 7 hours and 7 minutes. By the way, the Belgians themselves admit that of this time they spend only 3 hours 47 minutes directly on performing functional duties. There are no problems with work either - Belgium has a developed labor market and broad legislative protection for workers. At the same time, many employers take care of their employees by introducing, for example, a 4-day work week. Like, a rested and happy employee is a productive employee.

9. Norway

Norwegian law defines a fixed working week, which is 39 working hours. Local statistics show that the average Norwegian spends 7 hours 31 minutes at work every day, and still manages to achieve one of the highest productivity levels in the world. Norwegian GDP per man-hour is replenished by $88 of domestic product - this is the second figure in the world after Luxembourg. According to the OECD, Norwegians did not work that much in 2015 - the average is 1.42 thousand hours per year.

It should be noted that countries with a working week that is shorter than 40 hours are rather an exception to the rule - most countries adopt just such a standard. But there are also many striking exceptions, where citizens work much more. For example, Japan, where locals work 50 hours a week. But even this is not as much as the hardworking Chinese, whose working week lasts 60 hours, working day - 10 hours, and average duration lunch break - 20 minutes... There is something to think about!

In most people's imagination there are two Europes: the industrious north with a relatively low level unemployment and a fairly developed economy and the sluggish south, where almost everyone prefers to relax, drink espresso and travel.

Many people would prefer to live in France, with its 35-hour work week, long lunches and long holidays. But anyone who has worked in this country knows that reality often differs from these stereotypes.

Olivier, senior legal advisor at a large French construction company in Paris, describes his work week in a completely different way than most foreigners imagine. He says he spends 45-50 hours a week in the office.

How are things really going?

So what about the well-known 35-hour workweek that is the envy of professionals in the rest of the world? Is it possible that this was just another myth?

Contrary to many stereotypes, a 35-hour week is the threshold above which any work is considered overtime, say French economists. Regular workers do work 35 hours a week, but white-collar workers - those who do mental work - have to stay in the workplace longer. Like professionals, for example in the United States, they work until they complete all current tasks. But, unlike the United States, French specialists are compensated for the time they worked overtime. This is discussed separately in each specific case and depends on the company for which the person works.

Overtime

Even blue collar workers, that is, people engaged in manual labor, can work over 35 hours a week. According to the French state statistics, 50% of all workers in 2010 received a salary increase for overtime hours. Already in 2013 this figure was higher.

What about white collar workers? Let's take lawyers, for example. According to the French National Bar Association, 44% of lawyers work more than 55 hours a week. Studies in the United States have shown that American lawyers work 55-60 hours. As you can see, France does not have many differences.

Not only France

It's not just in France that an easy work week is more a myth than a reality. Real working hours in Spain also contrast with the country's popular image. Many people have to work from 8 am to 6-7 pm. Changes in Spain came as the country began to catch up with the international market. It is now common for many workers to eat their lunch without leaving their computers, something that would have been hard to imagine just 20 years ago.

In fact, the number of regular working hours per week is remarkably similar across Europe. According to Eurostat, in 2008 the average working week in Europe was 41 hours per week, while in France it was slightly less than 40. The range of working hours is small, with minimum value in Norway - 39 hours, and the maximum in Austria - 43.

Thus, 35 hours a week created the illusion that the French were not overworking themselves. In fact, the reality is much different.

Part time

There is another factor that may have fueled the legend of the short work week. Most people only look at full-time employees when determining the length of the work week, but in most European countries many people work part-time. This trend began to accelerate at least 15 years ago and was significantly worsened by the global financial crisis that began in 2008.

Countries with low unemployment rates such as the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Germany have replaced one full-time employee with four part-time employees. In 2012, Eurostat statistics already reflected this idea.

So who gets the most rest?

Countries northern Europe, where part-time work is much more common, have the lowest number of hours worked per week for all employees, both full-time and part-time. The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, the UK and Germany have an average 35-hour work week, according to Eurostat figures for 2012. Meanwhile, workers in Greece have adopted a 38-hour week, as have those in Spain, Portugal and Italy. French workers work on average 35 hours a week.

Looking at part-time work across Europe, a striking trend emerges. The French work even longer part-time hours than their counterparts in other countries. The average part-time work week in France is 23.3 hours, compared to 20.1 hours in most countries European Union. These data were obtained during a 2013 survey conducted by the French Ministry of Employment. This explains many things. If you look into one of the offices in Germany at the end of the working day, you will find many fewer employees there than, say, in France.

Determination of working hours

Work time– the time during which the employee is obliged to perform his job duties. Determining the duration of working hours is necessary as a precondition for assessing the performance of workers labor responsibilities and protecting the employee’s right to rest. Labor legislation provides for three principles for determining working time: firstly, it is necessary to guarantee the employee’s right to rest and health protection; secondly, working hours must ensure that the work gets done; and thirdly, working hours should be reduced taking into account the level economic development countries.

Maximum working time

The maximum working hours in the PRC were provided for by the PRC Labor Law. In accordance with Article 36 of this law, normal working hours in the PRC are 8 hours per day and no more than 44 hours per week. This provision applies to workers and employees of all government bodies and institutions, enterprises and other entities entrepreneurial activity, including foreign companies and companies with foreign capital. A similar length of working time was provided for by the Regulations of the State Council of the People's Republic of China "On the Working Time of Workers", adopted in 1994.

In March 1995, the State Council of the People's Republic of China amended the Regulations on Working Hours of Workers, according to which the maximum working time in the People's Republic of China is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

This Decision has been applied since May 1, 1995 in relation to government bodies, various institutions and enterprises. If it was impossible to establish a 40-hour work week for workers, from May 1, 1995, enterprises and institutions received a deferment (institutions - until January 1, 1996; enterprises - until May 1, 1997).

That is, now in China the normal working hours are 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Saturday and Sunday (or two other days of the week) are days off (Article 7 of the Regulations of the State Council of the People's Republic of China "On Workers' Working Hours").

Extension of working hours

By general rule In China, an eight-hour working day is used, but in some cases it is possible to extend the working day (involving workers in overtime work).

For example, in accordance with Article 41 of the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China, the employer has the right, in agreement with the trade union body and the workforce, to increase daily working hours by one hour if there is a need to extend working hours due to the nature of the employer's activities. In extreme cases, the employer may increase daily working hours by three hours, subject to a guarantee of maintaining health status, and by no more than 36 hours per month.

This restriction does not apply to the need to extend working hours in connection with taking urgent measures in the event of an emergency. natural Disasters, accidents or other circumstances that threaten the life and health of workers and the safety of property, as well as in the event of taking measures to carry out urgent repairs in the event of problems with production equipment, communication and transportation lines, during social events(Article 42 of the PRC Labor Law).

Overtime work is paid in accordance with the PRC Labor Law and the Regulations on Payment wages" Overtime work on a working day is paid at the rate of 150% of regular wages; on rest days (if the rest day is not compensated) - 200% of the regular salary; during non-working hours holidays– 300% of regular salary.

The provisions on the maximum duration of weekly working hours apply to workers employed on a piece-rate basis. The working hours of such employees cannot exceed maximum amount working hours per week (40 hours).

In Russia, a five-day work week with two days off is established - a total of 40 hours. Vacation - 28 days a year. How do they work in other countries? We asked our compatriots who moved abroad about this.

Norway

The working day in Norway lasts from 35 to 40 hours per week. There are fewer employees in the public sector than in private firms.

Marina:

"I work in state company 37.5 hours per week. In winter - from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. In summer - from 8 am to 15:00. I have five weeks of paid holiday per year plus days off for Christmas, New Year, Easter, National Day and other holidays. During the general holiday period in July (the most common month for this), the employer cannot refuse leave.”

Great Britain

The work schedule here depends on the region and field of activity. In Scotland the working week can last 40 hours, in London - 35. Holiday: five weeks.

Anastasia:

“In the financial sector, my official working week is 40 hours. But in fact, I overwork, sometimes for 50-55 hours, or maybe more. Overtime is not paid for. We have six working weeks of vacation a year and about eight days of various holidays. They do not give more than two weeks of vacation at a time, only good reason, for example, if Honeymoon. For those who have children at school, this becomes a problem because vacation needs to be combined with school holidays.”

France

In France they work 35 hours a week. Vacation of at least five weeks. Civil servants, healthcare workers and teachers have special benefits: they are provided additional days vacation.

Maria:

“It’s customary for us to sit until the evening. And the work is for three hours, but when you come, first you have to say hello and kiss everyone, while you go around everyone, it’s time to drink coffee and smoke. Then you open the computer, sort through emails for an hour, and then it’s time for coffee/cigarettes again. I worked a little and it was time for lunch (two hour break). The department also needs to periodically collectively discuss a couple of pressing issues: news, TV series, who, when and where is going on vacation. In general, you leave at 8-9 o’clock, proudly sending some email to your boss to show how late you stayed in the office.”

Sweden

The working week lasts 40 hours. Vacation 25−30 calendar days.

Veronica:
“Offices leave before the end of the eight-hour working day. Sometimes for an hour, and sometimes for two (if it’s Friday). The introduction of a six-hour working day is being discussed in parliament, and some companies are putting this social experiment into practice, to the delight of employees.”

Italy

The working week lasts on average 40 hours. Vacation: four weeks. The duration of the vacation depends on the internal rules of the companies. Usually the number of weeks of vacation is prescribed in advance in the contract before starting work.

Marina:
“I work more than 45 hours a week. According to my contract, I have 32 days of paid vacation, and holidays are added to this. We pay the thirteenth salary, the company pays for lunches. Some people are paid even the fourteenth salary under their contract, but they may have shorter vacations.”

Svetlana:
“The fourteenth salary is usually paid in commercial firms. Bank employees also have a fifteenth salary. I'm on public service I work 36 hours a week, I have my thirteenth salary and 28 days of vacation, plus three paid days off.”

Denmark

In Denmark, workers' rights are taken very seriously and they always try to provide benefits to those in need, for example a short day for families with children with developmental disabilities or health problems. They work here 35-37 hours a week. And vacation lasts at least five weeks a year.

Christina:
“You can work from home once or twice a week (depending on the employer). And another feature: five days of vacation can be taken not entirely, but divided into one day at a time (that is, five weeks in a row without working, for example, on Thursdays. - Note ed.)».

Germany

In Germany they work 35 to 40 hours a week. Vacation up to six weeks, depending on the agreement with the company.

Tatiana:
“I work 39 hours a week in the office. The schedule is moving. I can work from 6 am to 6 pm daily. Lunch lasts 30 minutes. Decent dining room. 30 days a year vacation.

Thirteen full salaries (the thirteenth in November is Christmas money) plus a bonus in March and a percentage of the company's profits in April. You can take sick leave for up to three days without a doctor’s certificate; if longer, you need to issue a sick leave. According to the law, for six weeks of illness you receive full salary, then it is reduced, but my employer pays something extra. It’s true, I’ve never been sick for so long.”

Brazil
In Brazil, people work on average 30 hours a week. Vacation lasts 30 calendar days. Sometimes, according to eyewitnesses, employees run away from the office early to get to the beach.

Louise:
“For us, an hour of overtime is counted as additional payment or cumulative hours for time off. There is a thirteenth salary, you can take a paid one-day leave once a year, for example, if someone in the family gets sick. Also, the law does not limit the number of sick days provided, but there are exceptions. Up to 20 days a year are holiday weekends.”

Netherlands
The working week is on average 35-40 hours. Vacation is five to six weeks.

Victoria:
“There is a clear division between working and personal time. At 17:00 everyone is blown away from work like the wind: family, children, dinner strictly at 18:00. Many people turn off their work phones on weekends and after 18:00. Remote work is common.

There are benefits for parents with children. If the child is under eight years old, then each parent has the right to ask for a part-time working week. The payment, of course, is reduced, but the pension is the same as with full-time employment, and the employer does not have the right to refuse the request. But we have a short maternity leave - 16 weeks - and fabulously expensive kindergartens, so it makes sense to work less.”

Hungary
There is a 40-hour work week here. Vacation starts with 20 working days, then every year they add for age, children, and also give additional free time if the employee has children with disabilities.

Irina:
“It is important for us to take a vacation this year; rescheduling is not allowed and is not compensated with money. It is rare that anyone takes their entire vacation at one time; most often it is divided into several periods. Going on vacation between Christmas and New Year is almost sacred, just like during children's holidays if there is nowhere to place the child. Depending on the organization, there is the possibility of working from home, as well as thirteenth and fourteenth salaries.”

USA
In the USA, it is customary to work long hours and almost without days off. Unfortunately, this is the only way to achieve a good pension in old age or to realize your “ American dream" Maternity leave in the USA - 12 weeks of unpaid leave after childbirth. If a woman rests longer, she may be fired.

Sergey:
“In America, the work week depends on where and who you work for. A minimum of ten days of vacation, a full-time rate of 40 working hours per week, about half an hour for lunch and two breaks of 15 minutes per day. Eight public holidays. Then it depends.”

Olga:
“I have six weeks of vacation a year. Vacation depends on length of service: those with less experience have less vacation than I do. The working week is officially 40 hours, but the schedule is free, you leave and come when you want.

You also take a lunch break when you want and for as long as you want. I work five days one week and four days the next, 9 hours a day. I usually take an hour for lunch and spend it with the dog (she goes to work with me), and then have lunch. But in principle, it doesn’t matter how much you work, only the result is important. I sometimes work more than forty hours a week. My bonus is approximately 20-25 percent of my salary, plus the company adds 15 percent of my salary to the pension plan.”

Finland
The work week lasts from 35 to 40 hours per week. The minimum vacation is five weeks: four weeks in summer, one in winter. In some specialties, the vacation is longer. Parental leave for up to 3 years with job retention.

Catherine:
“In our company, sick leave is paid in full, regardless of the duration. You can take up to 3 days a month due to illness without a doctor’s certificate. But if you take it too often, they will suspect that you just want to take time off, and they will not pay for these days. Lunch break is usually 30 minutes. And two coffee breaks of 15 minutes each. Processing, shift work, weekends are paid at a special additional rate."

The Republic of Korea
As in many Asian countries, in South Korea It's common to work very hard. The working week often exceeds 45-50 hours, although the contract says 40. Lunch break is at least one hour a day, vacation - 15 calendar days.

Maria:
“We don’t have sick leave in our country; people try not to get sick. Maternity leave- one year in large companies, but in reality only three to six months. 15 days of vacation are usually split up. Small and medium-sized companies close for two or three days in August - everyone goes on vacation. Sick leave is deducted from vacation pay. There are few public holidays; if they fall on weekends, they are not postponed, except for Lunar New Year and Thanksgiving.”

Peru
In Peru they work about 40 hours a week. Vacation of 30 calendar days, but only a year after the start of work. The maternity leave lasts 98 days.

Elmira:
“I live in Lima and work in an office five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (that works out to be 50 hours). Of these, an hour for lunch. We have fourteen official salaries per year, and the thirteenth and fourteenth salaries are paid in full, without deduction of taxes. Plus a bonus - distribution of the company's net income for last year in March of the current year.

Overtime hours are paid to ordinary employees. Leadership positions(my case) no one controls, additional hours are not paid, but the salary is higher. Some companies on Fridays in the summer work until 15-16 hours in the afternoon so that employees have time to go to the beaches before traffic jams.”

Text: Victoria Holland
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