Of course, nobody really gets paid for days off, anywhere, ever. Salaries are prorated, people are paid for the days they actually work.

Are you talking about in Europe?

Because at my company, in the US, I am not required to take any time off. I can bank any amount I want and spend it when I prefer. And it explicitly is treated as a paid day of work.

Of course not, but there is a strong default option effect.

And more often then not an employee _has to_ take the exact amount of vacation that's mandated in their country.