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Optimist EconomyOptimist Economy Author: Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi
Optimist Economy is the anti-doomscroll economics podcast. Work rules, tax fairness, healthcare, housing costs, retirement security the economic forces shaping American life have real problems. But also real solutions. Each week, economist Kathryn Anne Edwards and editor Robin Rauzi break down one problem and solution with data, history, humor, and a belief that tools to build a better economy exist. We just haven't tried them. New episodes on Tuesdays. Support the podcast at: optimisteconomy.com Ask questions or share your economic worries with us at: optimist.economy@gmail.com Language: en Genres: Government Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Stop Donating Your Vacation Days to Your Boss
Episode 28
Tuesday, 4 August, 2026
Nearly 90% of private-sector workers get paid vacation days from their job, but a Pew survey found 46% leave at least some of it on the table. Government survey data also show that the share of workers who are on vacation in any given week has fall by about half between 1980 and 2022. Blame thin staffing, guilt culture, and “PTO bundles” that push people to ration days between vacation days and sick leave. The fix exists elsewhere: the European Union, for instance, guarantees 20 paid days a year. If a Costco cashier is able to vacation in Europe twice, so should you.Chapters:0:52 Announcements2:53 Retcon Marathon11:01 Terms & Conditions: Statutory Leave12:04 Big Pilcrow: Vacation Days14:03 Why Do We Think We Can't Take Time Off?16:01 No Staffing Slack in the Office16:51 Vacation Guilt is a Real Thing18:51 What's Worker Power Got to Do With It?20:20 Decline in Days Off: What the Data Says21:17 Vague Numbers of Vacation Days24:23 Cost of Travel is Up24:56 Statutory Leave Could Create Jobs26:28 What are Workers Leaving on the Table?28:48 How Much Does Vacation Time Cost Employers?31:08 Vacation Marxist Economics-Style34:40 The Curse of the Long-Weekend Vacation38:21 Could the Government Mandate Vacation Time?42:46 Executive Orders: ACFC wins and Americans with Children Act46:23 Spiritual Sponsors: Lizards! Donate to Optimist Economy: https://optimisteconomy.com Video-curious? Watch the Optimist Economy YouTube channel. We’re also on Instagram at @optimist_economy or TikTok at @optimist_economy. Chat with other Optimists on Substack. Find utility with our merch: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy Got economic questions, concerns, or executive orders? Send them to optimist.economy@gmail.com
