www.fairnessworks.ca - check out the recent TV ads

Check out the TV ads that are now playing, see link below at www.fairnessworks.ca 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhInxpMMqk0&feature=c4-overview&list=UUP15u1BRMN9E0_f1Bu-rShQ

Time off from work to unwind, to balance our work and our family lives, is not only good for our mental and physical health it also leads to more productive work time. Paid vacation time is not only fair for workers, it's good for our health, and it's good for business. The labour movement has always worked to negotiate decent work hours and paid vacations for their members, and a fair process to allocate vacation time so everyone is treated fairly.

How much paid vacation do Canadians get right now?

With the exception of Saskatchewan, every province has laws requiring employers to provide a minimum of two weeks of paid vacation, generally after one year of employment. Saskatchewan leads in Canada with three weeks of paid vacation after one year of service, and four weeks of paid vacation after ten years of service. Paid vacations negotiated by workers and their unions can be greater, and they are generally based on the number of years people have worked for their employer - the longer your service, the more vacation time you earn. Companies wanting to attract loyal workers will offer more vacation than they are required to by law.

If you think you don't get enough vacation, you're right. Canada is in the bottom three of the world's richest countries for the minimum number of paid vacation days employees are entitled to receive under the law. Every major industrialized country in the world - Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark just to name a few - all have legislation giving workers at least four weeks paid vacation time. The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends that the period of paid vacation shouldn't be less than three weeks for one year of service.

For unionized workers, negotiations have helped the majority achieve at least the ILO recommended minimum. The great majority of unionized workers get at least three weeks of paid vacation time, and 70% get four weeks after a longer period of service. One in three unionized workers gets five weeks of paid vacation but that is typically received only after 15 years of service.

What is the labour movement doing to support better paid vacations for all Canadians?

We are pushing governments to adopt the ILO recommendation of at least three weeks paid vacation leave after one year of service. Remember, most industrialized countries already require companies to give at least four weeks! And most Canadians agree - they'd like to have more vacation time. A recent survey showed 22% of Canadians would even consider taking a lower salary in return for more paid vacation time.

Vacations allow employees to recharge, refresh and enjoy time with their families. Employers benefit from employees who are more healthy, rested and able to work more productively. Employers offering more generous paid vacation time are also more likely to have less staff turnover costs.