returning to uk asap
Apr 6th 2007, 10:13 pm
#31
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: returning to uk asap
I see the OP's point. Not that I have any experience with the life of an hourly wage worker in the UK but apparently he does, and if he thinks it's better in the UK then I accept that as fair warning.
I also agree with the other posters that the "haves" in the US have a very different lifestyle than the "have nots". I for one have never had to work on a single holiday, unless I was crazy enough and young enough to want to brown-nose and work on a new business pitch or something. Even as a person just starting out with my first job fresh out of college I had a minimum of 2 weeks paid vacation plus personal days and sick leave and of course all the public holidays -- certainly not the one week of vacation in two whole years that the OP speaks of. But then again, not the same category of work.
I do have to say, from where I sit, that if we compare similar jobs it seems the ones in the UK are a bit more relaxed and have more perks. My (American) sister has worked in the UK since graduating from (American) university a few years ago. She has 5 weeks of vacation I think? I think I only had a maximum of 3 weeks of vacation when I had been working about as long as she had. Also she seems to have more reasonable work hours compared to an equivalent position in the US.
I also agree with the other posters that the "haves" in the US have a very different lifestyle than the "have nots". I for one have never had to work on a single holiday, unless I was crazy enough and young enough to want to brown-nose and work on a new business pitch or something. Even as a person just starting out with my first job fresh out of college I had a minimum of 2 weeks paid vacation plus personal days and sick leave and of course all the public holidays -- certainly not the one week of vacation in two whole years that the OP speaks of. But then again, not the same category of work.
I do have to say, from where I sit, that if we compare similar jobs it seems the ones in the UK are a bit more relaxed and have more perks. My (American) sister has worked in the UK since graduating from (American) university a few years ago. She has 5 weeks of vacation I think? I think I only had a maximum of 3 weeks of vacation when I had been working about as long as she had. Also she seems to have more reasonable work hours compared to an equivalent position in the US.
Which may be bad news if you are hourly paid, I was not. I think the minimum wage works out at $12 and no Health Insurance premiums.
Also of course today and Monday are Bank Holidays, would not notice them here.
Apr 7th 2007, 2:38 pm
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 172
Re: returning to uk asap
What a flippin' joke! £2.57 per hour.
There is a definite link between poverty and crime.
£5.35 in the UK with free healthcare and statutory holiday entitlement. Add in maternity leave etc...
Read "The European Dream" by Jeremy Rifkin
Apr 8th 2007, 6:10 pm
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1
Re: returning to uk asap
I will be returning to UK in July 2007, and will not be getting my US citizenship. Why? you ask, well, its many little things, working conditions, vacation time is the biggest thing. Just one week off in nearly 2 years working, and having to work over Christmas, New Year and Easter is the last straw.
<snip>
Cheers!
<snip>
Cheers!
Most important is in my opinion where you want to live, make friends, have your children grow up and where do you see an *emotional* long-term commitment, not where the food is less expensive.
You might, as advised in other posts, think about your career, your education and what do you want to achieve in your life before deciding to go back to the UK in order to earn (slightly) more.
Apr 8th 2007, 7:54 pm
#35
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Joined: Jan 2007
Location: North Cackalacky
Posts: 108
Re: returning to uk asap
, thats unheard of in UK.Did feel sympathy for the staff working, though.
Apr 18th 2007, 5:05 am
#36
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Hammersmith and Fulham, London
Posts: 119
Re: returning to uk asap
Hi, I would like to give you my opinion. Do not select the place where do you want to live according to some petty considerations about wages and vacation time. It may be better for you in the UK right now, but how can you know if it won't be the same as in the US in the future?
Most important is in my opinion where you want to live, make friends, have your children grow up and where do you see an *emotional* long-term commitment, not where the food is less expensive.
You might, as advised in other posts, think about your career, your education and what do you want to achieve in your life before deciding to go back to the UK in order to earn (slightly) more.
Most important is in my opinion where you want to live, make friends, have your children grow up and where do you see an *emotional* long-term commitment, not where the food is less expensive.
You might, as advised in other posts, think about your career, your education and what do you want to achieve in your life before deciding to go back to the UK in order to earn (slightly) more.
I quite agree with your comments, but in order to do well in USA you need a degree, and I can get more money in London for less hours and more vacation time. Not to mention the free healthcare on NHS. Seems to me, the Americans are like the proverbial hamster on a treadmill, and to me, thats silly. Life is to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, not grab all materialism 24/7
Apr 18th 2007, 5:49 am
#37
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Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: returning to uk asap
Well, the OP has a point.
Minimum wage here in Santa Fe is currently $9.50 ($10.50 next year). Still not enough in a city where the median house price is $370,000.
One of the irritating things about the US is that, in order to be competitive, or even just 'minimally qualified' in the eyes of the employer, people are expected to get a degree for jobs that really have no need for a degree. Hence everyone is paying student loans on crappy salaries. Unfortunately, the UK has already embarked on this path too.
I've mentioned before that one of the things that keeps me in the US is that I have a good job - one of the good things about that job is that I have more time off than I can shake a stick at. Without that, yeah, I might be headed back to the UK too....
But then again, the skiing sucks in the UK.
Minimum wage here in Santa Fe is currently $9.50 ($10.50 next year). Still not enough in a city where the median house price is $370,000.
One of the irritating things about the US is that, in order to be competitive, or even just 'minimally qualified' in the eyes of the employer, people are expected to get a degree for jobs that really have no need for a degree. Hence everyone is paying student loans on crappy salaries. Unfortunately, the UK has already embarked on this path too.
I've mentioned before that one of the things that keeps me in the US is that I have a good job - one of the good things about that job is that I have more time off than I can shake a stick at. Without that, yeah, I might be headed back to the UK too....
But then again, the skiing sucks in the UK.
Apr 18th 2007, 7:23 am
#38
Banned
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando,Florida,living in Buckinghamshire for next 6 weeks.
Posts: 1,416
Re: returning to uk asap
Brits complaining about where best to get out of working,uk or usa.I guess america is a tough place to live to those who have been spoiled
Apr 19th 2007, 9:46 pm
#40
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Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 535
Re: returning to uk asap
OP, good luck with your move back. I don't blame you, to be honest. Even though I have a degree & a good profession behind me & could probably get a job with better holiday & pay etc, the crappy sick pay laws, maternity rights (what rights?), state law allowing you to be fired for whatever the boss feels like.... well, I agree it sucks.
Re: returning to uk asap
