Are Canadians workaholics?
Mar 22nd 2006, 10:05 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 84
Are Canadians workaholics?
Hello to all
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
Mar 22nd 2006, 10:14 pm
#2
Best Place on Earth- LMAO
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: BC
Posts: 571
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
It's more common here to work unpaid overtime unless your in a union or the government. Two week vacations are the standard- you'll be lucky if you can negotiate 3 weeks - and you have to work 1 whole year before your eligible to take them, at least here in BC. A lot has been written about this already I think. Also getting the job in the first place is a much more arduous process involving multiple interviews even for retail work in a shop.
Originally Posted by Chipotle
Hello to all
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
Mar 22nd 2006, 10:24 pm
#3
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by Chipotle
Hello to all
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
Mar 22nd 2006, 11:30 pm
#4
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by dbd33
In our business people are usually at work from about 8 until 5, no one takes lunch. Most people do some work in the evening and on weekends. It used to be that people had to be in the office a lot of hours but now the internet and cell phones allow a great deal of mobility. Everyone has a cell phone and must always be available; we don't allow vacations in locations where the phone won't work and have fired people who refused to answer while driving. None of us is paid anything but a flat rate for hours worked; we don't, for example, have vacation pay and don't take stat hols unless they coincide with US ones.
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
Mar 23rd 2006, 2:35 am
#5
sticky beaking
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Sherwood Park,Alberta
Posts: 1,156
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
It totally depends on the particular company.
In the UK my hub worked his socks off. Officially 8.30 - 5 but always worked over, always worked through the 30 min lunch break, and was always tired and stressed. He felt he had to do this to get anywhere.
Here, he works 8 - 5, gets a full hour for lunch which everyone generally takes at casual staggered times. They all leave around 5pm, even the boss.
Its informal, he no longer has to go to his office job in shirt and tie. Polo shirts and casual trousers are the attire. He negotiated 3 weeks holiday, and although he isn't entitled to those holidays until he's been with the company for 10 months, they closed between Xmas and New year, so he had an extra bit of time off. Very unexpected and very appreciated.
He feels he has a much better working environment here......................So......Canadians workaholics????..................We wouldn't say so.!
In the UK my hub worked his socks off. Officially 8.30 - 5 but always worked over, always worked through the 30 min lunch break, and was always tired and stressed. He felt he had to do this to get anywhere.
Here, he works 8 - 5, gets a full hour for lunch which everyone generally takes at casual staggered times. They all leave around 5pm, even the boss.
Its informal, he no longer has to go to his office job in shirt and tie. Polo shirts and casual trousers are the attire. He negotiated 3 weeks holiday, and although he isn't entitled to those holidays until he's been with the company for 10 months, they closed between Xmas and New year, so he had an extra bit of time off. Very unexpected and very appreciated.
He feels he has a much better working environment here......................So......Canadians workaholics????..................We wouldn't say so.!
Mar 23rd 2006, 2:56 am
#6
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Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary
Posts: 605
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by Chipotle
Hello to all
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
They say UK workers are the ones who work the longest hours in Europe. What is your impression about Canadian work life so far? Are (unpaid) extended working hours common in your area of work or do most people stick to the 9to5 routine?
I hope this thread is of interest.
Chipotle
Mar 23rd 2006, 3:21 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ontario
Posts: 203
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by dbd33
In our business people are usually at work from about 8 until 5, no one takes lunch. Most people do some work in the evening and on weekends. It used to be that people had to be in the office a lot of hours but now the internet and cell phones allow a great deal of mobility. Everyone has a cell phone and must always be available; we don't allow vacations in locations where the phone won't work and have fired people who refused to answer while driving. None of us is paid anything but a flat rate for hours worked; we don't, for example, have vacation pay and don't take stat hols unless they coincide with US ones.
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
Glad I dont work for your Organization! :scared:
Mar 23rd 2006, 5:07 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: West Yorkshire (getting itchy feet again)
Posts: 225
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by dbd33
In our business people are usually at work from about 8 until 5, no one takes lunch. Most people do some work in the evening and on weekends. It used to be that people had to be in the office a lot of hours but now the internet and cell phones allow a great deal of mobility. Everyone has a cell phone and must always be available; we don't allow vacations in locations where the phone won't work and have fired people who refused to answer while driving. None of us is paid anything but a flat rate for hours worked; we don't, for example, have vacation pay and don't take stat hols unless they coincide with US ones.
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
This is another good reason to be back in the uk
Shelly
Mar 23rd 2006, 5:09 am
#9
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
I work 8:30 to 4:30 (half hour lunch which everyone takes sitting around the table chatting together, and a tea break in the morning which has seen everything from a St Patrick's day quiz to a potluck breakfast - neither being the norm, but neither unheard of!) We get 3 weeks holiday immediately and, as is the case for a lot of Canadian organizations, you accumulate a certain number of holiday days every month worked. In our case, you're eligible to begin taking them immediately. Flex time is allowed and it's definitely been emphasized that people should leave on time and not do overtime. I should confess that this is a not-for-profit and I think they've decided to do all this to compensate for the lower salaries... No complaint here 
Mar 23rd 2006, 5:34 am
#10
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Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by shelly1
As the old saying goes "You don't know what you've got till its gone"
This is another good reason to be back in the uk
Shelly
This is another good reason to be back in the uk
Shelly
Some of us have decent well-paid jobs with good conditions.
But, I'll ask the family if they would like to swap all that we have here for a life in West Yorkshire.
BTW I've lived in W Yorks so I am well qualified to expect that they would run a mile at the prospect.
Mar 23rd 2006, 7:33 am
#11
Curiously Wise
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: SW Calgary
Posts: 942
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by dbd33
In our business people are usually at work from about 8 until 5, no one takes lunch. Most people do some work in the evening and on weekends. It used to be that people had to be in the office a lot of hours but now the internet and cell phones allow a great deal of mobility. Everyone has a cell phone and must always be available; we don't allow vacations in locations where the phone won't work and have fired people who refused to answer while driving. None of us is paid anything but a flat rate for hours worked; we don't, for example, have vacation pay and don't take stat hols unless they coincide with US ones.
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
J
Mar 23rd 2006, 7:47 am
#12
Happily hungover
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Runcorn, via Africa and parts unknown.
Posts: 2,447
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by Jenwren
My word :scared: Can't imagine what motivates you to work for a company like that ......
J
J
Mar 23rd 2006, 8:07 am
#13
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Not this Canadian. I've got avoiding work down to an artform. 
Mar 23rd 2006, 8:54 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 513
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by dbd33
In our business people are usually at work from about 8 until 5, no one takes lunch. Most people do some work in the evening and on weekends. It used to be that people had to be in the office a lot of hours but now the internet and cell phones allow a great deal of mobility. Everyone has a cell phone and must always be available; we don't allow vacations in locations where the phone won't work and have fired people who refused to answer while driving. None of us is paid anything but a flat rate for hours worked; we don't, for example, have vacation pay and don't take stat hols unless they coincide with US ones.
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
I work on and off in the UK and with companies based there. We view the UK companies as a bit of a joke, in one case a firm there initially refused to work through Christmas on a deal we found in December; I had to speak to them quite roughly before they sent technicians to America for the Christmas and New Year period. It was as if they didn't especially want the business!
What kind of business is this in, I'll make sure that I stay away from it, if this typical of the working conditions.
Dozzzzy
Mar 23rd 2006, 8:56 am
#15
Curiously Wise
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: SW Calgary
Posts: 942
Re: Are Canadians workaholics?
Originally Posted by 1066
He doesn't work for the company......he is the company....
J
Last edited by Jingle; Mar 23rd 2006 at 8:59 am.