The paid annual vacation is now the rule rather than the exception in conditions of employment in the United States. Collective bargaining and unilateral decisions by employers have increased the length of paid annual vacations and reduced qualifying periods of employment for millions of workers. In recent years the 4-week annual vacation has become the ultimate reward of long-service employees and the 3-week vacation has replaced the 2-week vacation. However, there is much reluctance to extend these rewards to other than long-service employees. Statistical data on which to base firm vacation-cost estimates are not available presently. The employer's desire to keep down costs is the most plausible explanation for not expanding vacation benefits to more workers. But universal 3-week annual vacations for full time employees would approximate the increased cost, per employee hour worked, which is regularly negotiated or granted unilaterally with unions. Vacation developments in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Western Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are summarized. (EM)