Monster Survey Compares Vacation Time Around the Globe
MAYNARD, Mass. - August 27, 2003 - Confirming beliefs that Americans spend more time in the office than their European counterparts, a recent poll of more than 86,000 workers worldwide reveals that 70 percent of Americans and 61 percent of Canadians have 15 days or less of vacation time per year. Comparatively, 82 percent of Europeans receive a minimum of three weeks (a). The Monster Meter, a product of Monster, the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNST), is an ongoing series of online polls that gauge users' opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy, and the workplace.
In the United States, 40 percent of workers respond as only having 10 days or less of vacation time during the entire year, while 30 percent of Canadians take similar time away from the office. However, in Europe, just 5 percent of respondents have 10 days or less of vacation. In fact, 61 percent of workers in Europe enjoy 26 days or more of annual leave. In the U.S., that category accounted for just 1 percent, and in Canada, 11 percent.

"Historically, many European governments have regulated mandatory vacation packages to their employees - a tradition that remains despite heightened unemployment," said Jeff Taylor, Founder and Chief Monster. "The U.S. work culture, among the strongest worldwide, has been defined as driven by high demands, tight deadlines, and long hours. While today's economy limits the amount of vacation time some employees were accustomed to a few years ago, it is important for employers to find other ways to recognize hard work and dedication."

The Monster Meter asked American, Canadian, and European Monster users:

How many days of vacation time do you get per year?

Monster U.S. (b) Monster Canada (c) Monster Europe (d)

10 days or fewer 40% 30% 5%

Between 11 and 15 days 30% 31% 4%

Between 16 and 20 days 17% 16% 9%

Between 21 and 25 days 12% 12% 21%

26 days or more 1% 11% 61%

These findings follow the release of Monster's 2003 work/life survey results, which found that 57 percent of Americans consider themselves overworked (e), 80 percent of Americans are unhappy with their work/life balance (f), and 71 percent admit to clocking more than 40 hours per week (g). Yet another proof point that U.S. workers are struggling to achieve work/life balance in today's continued slow economic period.

For more information on the 2003 Global Vacation Survey including specific country results within Europe or to view the complete 2003 Work/Life Survey, please contact Kevin Mullins at 978-461-8751 or kevin.mullins@monster.com.

(a) Several European countries mandate a minimum annual vacation leave for employees.

(b) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 72,713 votes cast by Monster U.S. users from July 7th to July 14th, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation. Anyone interested in voting in Monster's current online poll may do so by logging onto Monster at www.monster.com. Users may review the results of this poll by going to forums.monster.com. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.

(c) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 3,770 votes cast by Monster.ca users from July 7th to July 21st, 2003 on the Monster.ca homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(d) The results of the Monster Meter are based on 10,251 votes cast across 13 Monster Europe sites: users from July 7th to July 21st, 2003 on the corresponding homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(e) These results are based on 61,346 votes cast by Monster users from April 14th to April 21st, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(f) These results are based on 36,128 votes cast by Monster users from June 16th to June 23rd, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.

(g) These results are based on 64,324 votes cast by Monster users from March 24th to March 31st, 2003 on the Monster homepage. Only one vote per user is counted toward the final tabulation.