rj9722

Hi all,

My partner and I are considering a move to Canada. He already has a job offer and I am looking.

We are interested to know the differences in work culture compared to the UK and if possible Sweden (where we live now).

Is it similar to the USA- long hours, hierarchical structure, political? We both work in the tech industry, one of us in development the other in project work.

I know it depends on the organisation and role but if generalisations can be made we would be grateful to hear them

Thanks in advance!

Edo

Well, welcome to the world of laid back culture! Yeah of course every workplace is different and there are exceptions but in most places if you are seen as extra efficient or your values clash with the existing work culture then you may not survive there for too long. In Canadian workspace common wisdom dictates that you learn and accept the status quo (and the nepotism based politics) and you would do absolutely fine.

And yes, one more thing. Expect your annual vacation time to be no more than 15 days (that's if you are lucky).

not2old

OP, which part of Canada will you be living o& are you planning on living close to work, or be doing the 'not to unusual' one-hr travel from home to work, which is commonplace in certain areas here?

Work is work, just get on with it, do a good job & whinge about how you are over worked, underpaid

Zero sense of humour here compared to other places around the world

Post #2 covered the rest

rj9722

Wow thanks for the input!

Edo- so it is bad to be extra efficient? Have you ever heard of anyone negotiating more than 15 days?

not2old- Vancouver. No idea about the commute as we don't have a place yet.

not2old

For BC, on Vacation/Holiday pay & eligibility - you could try to negotiate, most employers will do it by the book as per the 'employment standards' minimums

Annual Vacation Factsheet - Province of British Columbia

Employment standards act for BC

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/em...ment-standards

not2old

on commute times, FWIW to give you a general idea

Table Mode of transportation and average commuting time to get to work in Montr�al, Toronto and Vancouver census metropolitan areas

BristolUK

There are very many Brits on this forum getting as much as they did in the UK and others getting not as much but still more than the North American norm.

rj9722

Thanks for the links and info everyone! Really helpful

The commute time doesn't concern me too much now, more the working environment.

(I created a new thread about the vacations to be clear)

R I C H

The employed positions I've taken here (in BC) have offered 25 days vacation, with 2 extra days per year accrued after each year of employment. Add statutory days off on top and it's not so bad.

Edo

1. Indeed it is. Especially if you end up working for the government here

2. Yes. But none of them got it. Most companies have a strict policy on vacation allowance which is tied in to the grading of the job. Senior executives like directors and VPs do get up to 4 weeks though.

Almost Canadian

I have never been offered less than 3 weeks and have always been able to negotiate that amount upwards. I've never been a director or a VP

dbd33

Yes. I've worked in all but six States and in Ontario, always as some sort of contract computer person. Clients have included government departments, manufacturers, insurance companies, universities, banks, all sorts, even a TV company back when they were important. I wouldn't say there is any significant difference between the office culture of firms within each industry in Ontario vs. the US.

That said, the US probably isn't as you think of it. For example, I can only recall one desk with NRA memorabilia.

JonboyE

I work with many small companies in and around Vancouver. Each has its own corporate culture. It is impossible to generalize.

rj9722

Thanks for the info everyone!

Specifically in terms of working hours what is more common- 40 hr weeks or 60 hr week?

dbd33

Depends on the environment. If it's development for a company that uses computers, a bank or insurance company, then 40. If it's a software company then 60.