Ah, summer is right around the corner and along with that comes…VACATION!  

Or does it?  

We already know that Americans are working more and taking less vacation than they ever have before.  While companies are starting to recognize the need for a work-life balance and beginning to offer increased vacation time, many employees are reporting that those same companies have an unwritten rule to not use up all of that vacation time.  In fact, many employees feel as though they have to beg for the time off, or worse, hide their vacation like it’s a dirty little secret.

Now this has always irked me.  As a supervisor at my last job, I earned 2 weeks paid vacation time plus a few flex days per year.  If I had a dollar for every time my boss or manager -  or even other employees - gave me a hard time about actually using it, I wouldn’t even need to write this blog.  The culture of our workplace flat out disgusts me at times.  My personal vote is that no vacation day should go unused.  By taking all of my vacation days, I am better rested, more productive, and a more pleasant person to be around.

(Don't forget, there's always the official Jobacle sick day calendar!)

But enough of my ranting.  I want to hear how you feel about vacation time.  

Do you feel guilty when you take it?  

Do you feel you are given enough paid days per year?  

And finally, when you get to take that vacation, are you secretly still checking your e-mail?

This is a guest post from Lauren Kleinman.