Oh gosh! But you seem to get a lot more public holidays than us? The holiday pay we got from European law actually and is quite a new thing. Even if you are part-time you are entitled (just on a pro rata basis) Sick pay is not compulsory though. If you have a doctors note then after 4 days off you can claim statutory sick pay from the government but it is only £87 a week ($140)

Our employment laws are quite strict and favour the employee so it is quite hard just to sack someone and tribunal services are provided free if there is an 'unfair dismissal'

Do you find that a lot of employers (that you know and in your experience) are good to their staff and pay well etc? or do you think that the government should make more laws to protect/benefit employees? x