

In the US. I get all federal holidays plus my birthday and a few extra holidays (like an extra day around new years, Thanksgiving and Christmas) plus I get 25 days of paid vacation but no sick days. In 3.5 years I’ll get the maximum of 30 days/year.
Our vacation time is tied to years of service.
1 year = one week 1-5 years = two weeks 5-10 years = three weeks 10-20 years= four weeks 20-25 years = five weeks 25+years = six weeks
Of course by “week” I mean 5 days of vacation.
I usually pinch the knife (from the dull side) with my thumb and finger right up against the pit, putting pressure on it just until it pops off. Very similar to your method