BY ANA FERRER

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The United States is lagging behind when it comes to using vacation days. It appears that many Americans are living to work instead of working to live.

57 percent of workers from the “no vacation nation” let an average of 11 vacation days fall through the cracks at the end of 2011 according to a study by Harris Interactive for JetBlue airlines via CNN Money.

Sageworks, a financial information company reported separately that profits-per-employee are at a 10-year high. Sageworks analyst, Libby Bierman said that employees cramming in more hours at work are possible factor.

Bierman said, according to newsnet5.com, “It’s safe to say it’s a combination of people spending more time at work and technological advancements.”

Kelton Research produced a separate survey about why workers are passing on their vacation days.

As the recession hit and companies downsized employees and upsized technology many workers’ workloads built up, preventing them using their time off.

But unlike other developed countries, United States law doesn’t require companies to offer paid vacation time to their employees. The United Kingdom requires employers to give at least 28 vacation days, for example.

In Greece, France and Finland the minimum is 25 days. Germany and Japan give at least 20 days, minimum.