The year 2022 was a bad year for those who appreciated the extra days off. The calendar for 2023 has better news. The following two years also offer red days that fall on weekdays. In 2024, there will be plenty of possible days off. Free on many weekdays In the New Year, we get what is popularly called “free time off” on nine out of a total of twelve red days. It will be even better in 2024 – with red days of ten weekdays, i.e. the most that is possible. The outlook for 2025 is also clear on a number of weekdays, with nine red weekdays. Bad at seizing opportunities And the days off are important to us, we believe psychologist Line Marie Warholm. She explains that many people today struggle with being tired and burning out. Rest and consistent time off are therefore important for both adults and children. Because the way we live today, we have the opportunity to get a lot of rest. However, we are not good enough at using these opportunities, she believes. Photo: Astrid Waller – It requires us to take action. There are probably many people who are at work mentally, even if they have time off. So there is something about completely disconnecting and taking a complete break. – The need to be available or to have control is an impulse that we must have a very conscious relationship with today because it is there, and it is problematic and we must take action on it. According to Warholm, this is an experience that many people have, but which is created by ourselves and not actually real. The psychologist’s advice for the holidays Decide not to respond to e-mail Delete apps on the phone if you can’t stay away Dare to ask yourself: Is it really the case that people have to get hold of me? Remember that as an adult you are responsible for your own health Have a conscious attitude to not thinking about everything that is available – It is probably a trend now that people prefer free time to money. People are interested in having a life outside of work too, says Warholm. Free = the meaning of life This is confirmed by social economist Harald Magnus Andreassen. – Holidays are the meaning of life. And in May in Norway we have several days off, which is very good. Because in May it is good to have time off and be outside when the country wakes up after a cold winter. Photo: Lise Åserud – Most people will find that it was smart to have it this way. What could be discussed was how many of the days off we should tie up to religious holidays where everyone has time off at the same time. That is, as opposed to letting each individual employee or company find out how they want to spend those days when it suits. The number of holidays is determined by law. – It is probably the case that it makes sense for society to decide together approximately how much it is normal to work for most of us and that there are rules for when we have holidays. Andreassen calls Christmas this year absolutely terrible when it comes to holidays. – Almost the worst thing you can imagine is having Christmas Eve on a Saturday. So this is a bad Christmas. Fortunately, things are moving along and getting better in later years. Not quite so free And Norwegians are more than happy to pay the price it costs to have a holiday and time off, literally. – Based on an average salary of NOK 650,000, it is around NOK 2,000 after tax for a day off. If we are away from work for a day, we will therefore produce around NOK 12 billion less. Can enjoy work and time off at the same time Andreassen makes a comparison with the USA, which has less time off than us. – Asking for time off is signaling to my employer that I don’t want to work. I am not interested in the job and do not want to be promoted and do a good job. In such a case, everyone will sit at work rather than what they actually want themselves. – Because if you ask people, they would like to have a holiday. They know it costs money, but they are willing to pay that price in the form of lower wages. On the other hand, you don’t need to worry about asking your employer for time off, says psychologist Warholm. Because it is possible to like both. – Can we be happy in our jobs even if we want time off? – Yes, I think so. If you want to persevere in your job, you have to make sure you get enough time off so you don’t get bored. For example, if you are going to think smartly and creatively at work, it is important to pause and be quiet to think. – If you only work, you become less efficient, concludes Warholm.
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