As others have stated, vacation and hours really do vary tremendously.

If one *wants* to work 60 hours a week, there are employers willing to let you (and pay you a salary as opposed to wages for your efforts).

The flip side is, lots of overworked people walk away earning enough to retire at 40 (if they want...but generally, workaholics don't want to retire).

For me, I get the usual 2 weeks vacation, a buttload of healthcare, some other insurance to cover accidents, etc., and I work roughly 40 hours a week. I left my last job because it was salary, and I was working sometimes 12 hours a day plus an hour and a half travel to and from.

It's all about choices. If I wanted a shiny new car, I'd have stayed at the last job. But I wanted time with my kid, so I'll continue to nurse my Dads old car, and the *really* old 1984 Rabbit instead.