>I think we're the only industrialized country that doesn't mandate some paid vacation and some paid sick leave. Most people are employed "at will" and have very little protection from losing their jobs randomly.
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>That opens up competition. I certainly won't say 100%, but the vast majority of full time positions have annual leave and sick leave days.
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>And remember there are wage/payment collection laws that protect accrued benefits - that's why (in most states) when a person leaves, they are owed their final paycheck and unused vacation days at time of termination. A person can also get as much as 25% in additional damages + legal costs if this isn't done promptly.
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>I understand what you're saying - but I (and most Americans) would ultimately rather have this driven by the market.

You really think most Americans wouldn't rather have a rule that says everyone gets a minimum number of sick days and a minimum number of vacation days? The market would still push for more, but I think, for example, folks who wait tables and their customers would be pretty happy to have waitstaff stay home when they're sick. Most can't because they won't get paid and they might lose their jobs.

You and I are a in position to pretty much write out own ticket, but most workers are not. FWIW, the principal reason I've been self-employed for 25 years is to control my own time. I think it's likely I could have earned more over this period working for others, but the ability to decide when I work and when I don't was more important to me, especially when I was raising kids.

Tamar