It has been shown that you need around 14 days of interrupted rest to recover from stress etc.
The European laws are not some random thing we made up because we are lazy. It is to ensure workers are well rested and ready for a new working year. Hence in long term it will also benefit employers.
Some personal anecdata: I notice an immediate difference when I come back after a long vacation. The first 2-3 months I work at top efficiency, get probably done twice as much as I would do any other month.
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