According to Expedia.com, Americans forfeited an average of 1.8 vacation days in 2001. That translates to a benefit to companies of $19.5 billion in unscheduled productivity. When you forfeit paid leave, you are essentially giving money back to your employer.

The Work to Live campaign is lobbying Congress to mandate a minimum of three weeks vacation for U.S. workers. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not have mandatory paid leave for workers, despite the fact that U.S. workers put in more work hours per year than any other workers in the industrialized world, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research. We also have the fewest number of paid days off.

This lack of time off can affect an employee's health. Studies have shown that taking regular vacations can reduce stress and the risk of premature death from heart attacks and high blood pressure.

Employees cite a number of reasons for not using vacation time, such as being too busy at work or fear of being laid off. Employers need to address these issues. Employees have a legal right to take paid leave if the company has a vacation policy.