When being a workaholic is bad for your economy

Japanese employees are known world-wide for their extreme workaholic behavior, long hours and dedication to their work. But I bet you didn’t expect that the same is true for the laid-back, easy-going, seemingly stress-free Australians.

With their eye on the $20 billion of holiday pay owed to workers, the government is starting a campaign to encourage Australians to take leave. “No Leave, No Life,” is their slogan, aimed at improving the domestic tourist industry now that the Japanese are not showing up in great numbers anymore.

Australians can take four weeks per year off and have 10 national holidays. Yet, scared to get behind on schedule or even to loose their job, the Aussies are not leaving their desks.

Interesting to see that an economic downturn can actually make it bad for your national economy if you are a workaholic. But hey, if you have to sacrifice yourself for your country, then what better way to do it than this?

Sydney