Vacation time is a brutal inhumane joke in America, IMHO. There's no minimum, and a number of companies provide no vacation time for employees in their first year. Even when vacation time is provided, sometimes its pretty limited or the company culture makes it hard to take all the time allowed.
Other countries, particularly in Europe, get it, but we don't. I recommend reading "Work to Live" (as opposed to 'live to work') by Joe Robinson http://www.amazon.com/Work-Live-Joe-Robinson/dp/0399528504 for an overview of the US vs. European nations.
I'm all for having a killer work ethic, but I believe you're more efficient when you're refreshed and not burned out. And sometimes your subconscious mind works well on solving problems that you wouldn't be able to tackle if you keep down in the trenches without a break.
Other countries, particularly in Europe, get it, but we don't. I recommend reading "Work to Live" (as opposed to 'live to work') by Joe Robinson http://www.amazon.com/Work-Live-Joe-Robinson/dp/0399528504 for an overview of the US vs. European nations.
I'm all for having a killer work ethic, but I believe you're more efficient when you're refreshed and not burned out. And sometimes your subconscious mind works well on solving problems that you wouldn't be able to tackle if you keep down in the trenches without a break.