Americans work harder than most industrialized nations and need more federal holidays to bring us in line with other industrialized nations. Additionally, the holidays should be paid time off for full-time workers. It would make us more attractive to talent, and increase health.
Consider the following points:
* The average American works 1790 hours (223 days), around 40 more days than the 10 federal holidays plus weekends imply.
* According to the OECD, Americans work 393 more hours than Germans per year, 136 more more than UK workers, and 45 more than Japanese. (2012)
* Output per hour has increased over 300% since 1950, yet hours worked have increased about twice as much as compensation.
* The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that has no mandated annual leave or parental leave.