'Obviously not written by an American in the know, OR by parties trying to be PC....'Working for large corporations prior to saying au Revoir and starting my own, smaller, more-manageable and profitable business, I had witnessed decades of corporations having to offer PTD to employees, but leaning on them and loading 'em up with work, telling employees they're expendable, etc. etc. etc. (essentially blocking them from weeks of vaca after offering it at the time of employment.) Combine that with the absolute money mismanagement of the current administration in the US (taxes, inflation, reliance on foreign oil, products, etc. etc. whilst the executive committees scoop up all the profits for themselves,) and the average workers haven't a dime left after all bills have been paid. So, they have to work. My advice to all, especially younger folks, is to be the Employer, NOT the Employee in America (and do be one of the good ones that actually treats good employees well!) Many of us could write a treatise on this, but it's common knowledge here and one doesn't wish to talk about it anymore than they have to...It's a political-economic form of quasi-legalized Slavery. Too much commercial-governmental programming going on here for the masses. Advertising is heavy here. Many feel they must keep up with the Jones' by always purchasing new things, essentially becoming house-rich and pocket-poor. My elders always taught us by example that to prosper, one must master their profession and save, and they were correct! I add to that question every single thing you read or hear. They're not your friends. It's all about $.