I'd love to tell you Europe is a contrasting land of milk and honey but here in the UK we have a ruling political party that hold up the republican model as some sort of aspiration.

They've not torn it all down quite yet though: Healthcare is still free at the point-of-use but even big employers won't give you time off to see a Doctor during work hours (forgetting Doctors work those same hours).

Employees are allowed by law at least 4 weeks annual paid vacation time and Mothers are allowed 3 months maternity at full-pay.