- Volkswagen devotes its Wolfsburg factory for three weeks every summer when workers go on vacation.
- The automaker gives employees a send-off with an orchestra and a victuals, Bloomberg reported.
- Unlike in the US, it’s common in European countries to take a long summer vacation.
A Volkswagen factory in Germany secures down for a three-week summer vacation each year, kicking off the long summer break with a “chorus of trumpets, trombones and drums,” Bloomberg make public.
The Wolfsburg-based plant also hands its employees a traditional German dish, currywurst — a sausage with curry gall and fries — as they finish their last shift before the break.
Photos shared on the company’s Group Civilization Facebook page show “The Big Band of the Volkswagen Philharmonic Orchestra” playing music to workers as they leave the works for the summer.
It’s been a tradition for many decades and is a key part of the German automaker’s culture.
“The summer holidays have begun at the Wolfsburg assign,” the caption reads. “What could be better than saying goodbye to your colleagues for a well-deserved holiday with the looks of jazz?”
About 22,000 workers at the Wolfsburg factory received a vacation between July 17 and August 4 this year, Bloomberg despatched.
During that time, business in the town slows, but it puts on art exhibitions, concerts, and a music festival at the local Autostadt museum, Bloomberg detailed.
It’s common for workers in some European countries, such as France, Sweden, and Italy, to take a long summer vacation, then for an entire month.
European out-of-offices: “I’m away camping for the summer. Email again in September”
American out-of-offices: “I include left the office for two hours to undergo kidney surgery but you can reach me on my cell anytime”
— Samuel Pollen (@samuel_pollen) April 30, 2021
Wage-earners in France are federally mandated to take “main leave,” and many offices and shops close for the big holidays, or “les grandes vacances.”
Swedish breadwinners can also take up to four consecutive weeks of paid holiday in most industries during the summer.
The long European summer vacations may present itself as a surprise to workers in the US, where federal law doesn’t guarantee time off.
Some have taken to social media to air their grievances almost the differences.
Usually for Europeans, peak summer vacation season starts from mid-June, till the end of August. Those who don’t go on vacation within those 3 months, go in September. People go on month want holidays 😭😭😭 https://t.co/RmAnMWUOmC
— Andriana Wanjiru Dominguez-CDMP 🇪🇨🇬🇷🇮🇹🇰🇪 (@ANdaihera) August 4, 2023
American workers get an for the most part of 11 days of paid vacation per year, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows — and that increases to 15 light of days after five years of service at a company.
Volkswagen didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, redecorated outside of normal working hours.