As millions of Americans struggle to find time for vacations, President Joe Biden’s bountiful time off stands in sharp contrast.
Many Americans leave paid vacation days unused, while Biden has taken over 500 days off during his presidency, as the Washington Examiner reports, seemingly confirming rumors that he would be permitted to carry out the last months of his term as he saw fit, provided he ended his re-election campaign, as the Washington Examiner reports.
Americans are well-known for being hesitant to take vacation days. Despite having an average of 12 paid days off each year, most workers don’t use all of them. In fact, Americans take an average of just 11 vacation days annually, according to recent data. Some workers say they’re simply too busy to take a break from their jobs.
This reluctance to take vacations places Americans behind many of their global counterparts. For example, Japanese employees take an average of 12 vacation days each year. Despite everyday Americans' hesitation, President Biden has reportedly taken a staggering 532 days off in less than four years.
Biden’s vacation habits are a stark contrast to the American worker’s reality. Using data from travel company Expedia, Biden’s time off is equivalent to more than 48 years of vacation time for the average American employee. This comparison highlights the disparity between the president’s time off and the typical work-life balance experienced by many in the U.S.
The president frequently spends his vacations at his Wilmington, Delaware, home or at the beach in Delaware. Despite his time away from the White House, he remains on call for national matters and has been seen using his cellphone during these vacations. His vacations are regular, yet Biden is often spotted conducting presidential business during his time off.
Though the president’s frequent vacations raise eyebrows, the reality is that many Americans are overworked. A significant 32% of U.S. workers go a year or more without taking a single vacation, according to one report. In contrast, the global average is much lower, at around 18% of workers worldwide experiencing such long gaps between vacations.
For many, the idea of taking time off simply isn’t realistic. Whether due to demanding jobs or economic pressures, workers in the U.S. continue to struggle with the concept of work-life balance. With only 12 paid vacation days on average, it’s not uncommon for workers to forgo taking time off entirely.
This problem is compounded by the fact that American workers report feeling too busy to step away from their jobs. For some, the risk of falling behind or missing out on opportunities at work makes taking a break seem like a luxury rather than a necessity. This attitude toward vacation time creates a culture where workers are continually grinding, even at the expense of their well-being.
Meanwhile, the president’s approach to vacationing presents a stark contrast to that of the everyday worker. While many Americans hesitate to take time off, Biden has been able to spend more than 500 days on vacation, mostly at his Delaware properties.
President Biden’s extensive vacation time has not gone unnoticed by the public. As he continues to work remotely during his time off, many question the optics of such frequent vacations during a time when the average American is struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Although Biden stays in communication and is available for urgent matters, his lengthy periods away from the White House have raised concerns among some critics. These vacations, however, are in line with the tradition of presidents taking time away from Washington, D.C., to manage the stresses of the office.
Still, the comparison between Biden’s time off and the average American worker’s vacation habits remains stark. While Americans are twice as likely as their global counterparts to go a year or more without a break, the president has enjoyed more than a year’s worth of vacations in just three years.
