Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Apr 26th 2012, 5:02 pm
#76
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
YES! Exactly.
Apr 26th 2012, 5:16 pm
#77
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
That's the problem. The UK and the US have a similar mentality - they can think no further than the next election and work like shop-keepers.
You cannot work in that mode with "long-term investments" such as education, transport, energy. Those are multi-decade events - you cannot apply 3, 4, 5-year budgeting to something that is fundamental to the social welfare of a country.
You cannot work in that mode with "long-term investments" such as education, transport, energy. Those are multi-decade events - you cannot apply 3, 4, 5-year budgeting to something that is fundamental to the social welfare of a country.
Most UK sending is not about 'investments', it will take decades to recover from New Labour.
Apr 26th 2012, 5:22 pm
#78
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
That's the problem. The UK and the US have a similar mentality - they can think no further than the next election and work like shop-keepers.
You cannot work in that mode with "long-term investments" such as education, transport, energy. Those are multi-decade events - you cannot apply 3, 4, 5-year budgeting to something that is fundamental to the social welfare of a country.
The irony is that both the UK and US appear to want to draw back state spending and debt, but are going out-of-their way to artificially suppress interest rates thereby encouraging personal debt.
But then again, the cynic in me says that personal debt is money spent with private companies that prop up those governments in the first place.....
You cannot work in that mode with "long-term investments" such as education, transport, energy. Those are multi-decade events - you cannot apply 3, 4, 5-year budgeting to something that is fundamental to the social welfare of a country.
The irony is that both the UK and US appear to want to draw back state spending and debt, but are going out-of-their way to artificially suppress interest rates thereby encouraging personal debt.
But then again, the cynic in me says that personal debt is money spent with private companies that prop up those governments in the first place.....
DC has been bought and paid for for decades by those companies you mention. Except they aren't private - they're floated; corporations with evil bastards playing power games. Drug companies, banks, oil and gas, war profiteers, et al.
Personal debt (credit cards) is horrible in the US. Everyone has the disease (I do too) and when the hammer comes down on this one.......
I'd love to see a black flag raised over the white house and each state given back the power it legally has (its in the constitution - you know, that modern updated version of magna carta?)
Maybe then, we could have true govt investment at local level in things that require 5 and 10yrs of attention. Decent roads, social services and all that.
Apr 26th 2012, 5:45 pm
#80
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Norwalk, Connecticut
Posts: 173
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Apr 26th 2012, 5:58 pm
#81
Back home at last!
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: UK to AUS to USA, now home in UK
Posts: 259
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Apr 26th 2012, 6:05 pm
#82
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
The thing that really scares me is that it is "At Will" employment so there are no notice periods. My last 2 jobs have had 2 to 3 months notice required on both sides. Scary stuff knowing that you could have a disagreement with your boss and not have a job the next day!
Edit: Im exempt....long days coming up!
Last edited by ned1983; Apr 26th 2012 at 6:15 pm.
Apr 26th 2012, 6:10 pm
#83
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Vienna, Northern Virginia
Posts: 152
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
European governments exist primarily to protect citizens and improve their standard of living. The various US governments seem to exist to pander to Corporate America.
Maybe if the majority of Americans stopped telling me what a "great" place this was and got out and did something about making it better, it would actually become a "great" place ?
Maybe if the majority of Americans stopped telling me what a "great" place this was and got out and did something about making it better, it would actually become a "great" place ?
Apr 26th 2012, 6:34 pm
#84
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Just looked it up. Im coming from Oxford Uni where your contracted hours are 35/week and I was told to "go home you are working too hard". Now Im doing 40 contracted but fearing its gonna be more like 60. I best re-read my contract offer haha.
The thing that really scares me is that it is "At Will" employment so there are no notice periods. My last 2 jobs have had 2 to 3 months notice required on both sides. Scary stuff knowing that you could have a disagreement with your boss and not have a job the next day!
Edit: Im exempt....long days coming up!
The thing that really scares me is that it is "At Will" employment so there are no notice periods. My last 2 jobs have had 2 to 3 months notice required on both sides. Scary stuff knowing that you could have a disagreement with your boss and not have a job the next day!
Edit: Im exempt....long days coming up!
Ordinary employment isn't considered business.
"At will" technically cuts both ways, mind.
You aren't under any obligation to give a reason or notice if you resign; but the mentality is purely "employer slanted" so if a future employer were to check, that's what they'd hear (he didn't say or give notice.....).
Course, they can sodomise you with impunity at will
Be careful about just walking away from a job as they can claim "work abandonement" or just say they fired you. Always have it in writing and CYA, CYA and above all else; CYA. I worked with this bloke who put 20yrs in with the company; he was a bit of a twat but they still lied that they fired him just before he handed in his retirement.
That's retirement - not notice, mind you and we were all in a closed shop too!
He left with them getting to throw the final punch just to terrorise the new hires.
Being exempt is working by the law of the jungle and it absolutely sucks. You might be alright if the boss is decent, but I wouldn't bank on it.
Last edited by Xebedee; Apr 26th 2012 at 6:40 pm. Reason: asphalt buttocks
Apr 26th 2012, 6:57 pm
#85
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
According to what I read elsewhere its fairly standard to be "exempt" if you are in senior to management roles. Certainly in the UK I havent had a per-hour job since I was 20. I guess in the UK they do it differently by saying "X hours per week. But you are expected to work extra if required".
I assume exempt means if you do work extra hours you dont even get time off in lieu? Or is that down to the company?
I assume exempt means if you do work extra hours you dont even get time off in lieu? Or is that down to the company?
Apr 26th 2012, 7:12 pm
#86
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
According to what I read elsewhere its fairly standard to be "exempt" if you are in senior to management roles. Certainly in the UK I havent had a per-hour job since I was 20. I guess in the UK they do it differently by saying "X hours per week. But you are expected to work extra if required".
I assume exempt means if you do work extra hours you dont even get time off in lieu? Or is that down to the company?
I assume exempt means if you do work extra hours you dont even get time off in lieu? Or is that down to the company?
So, you wouldn't need a supervisor; but would usually answer to a manager, or be one answering to another manager (aka god).
Working for free is part of the deal and wether or not you do and how much is dependant on your boss and/or company policy. It is possible to get a job with paid overtime being exempt, but its getting rarer.
If you work a holiday, you can expect to be able to take the day at a later date, but as for getting a day off in lieu of working for nothing? Never heard of it.
I work as an Engr. and mostly they are workaholic drones who get a boner when the boss calls them "professional".
Dunno about other jobs which are salaried (exempt).
Oh, don't be too surprised if you still have to punch a clock or at least keep a log of your hours / work done for a weekly or monthly report.
Its a lot of fun.
Apr 26th 2012, 7:16 pm
#87
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 58
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Havent punched a clock since working at 16 for Dominos Pizza...This could get interesting!
Im a hard worker and love getting things done, hate early mornings though!
Im a hard worker and love getting things done, hate early mornings though!
Apr 26th 2012, 7:59 pm
#89
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
Don't forget your alarm clock so you don't take 1 minute extra for your lunch break
Apr 26th 2012, 8:03 pm
#90
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Anyone else finding working in the US too tough?
You are exempt if you define your own workload and how to get the lot done.
So, you wouldn't need a supervisor; but would usually answer to a manager, or be one answering to another manager (aka god).
Working for free is part of the deal and wether or not you do and how much is dependant on your boss and/or company policy. It is possible to get a job with paid overtime being exempt, but its getting rarer.
If you work a holiday, you can expect to be able to take the day at a later date, but as for getting a day off in lieu of working for nothing? Never heard of it.
I work as an Engr. and mostly they are workaholic drones who get a boner when the boss calls them "professional".
Dunno about other jobs which are salaried (exempt).
Oh, don't be too surprised if you still have to punch a clock or at least keep a log of your hours / work done for a weekly or monthly report.
Its a lot of fun.
So, you wouldn't need a supervisor; but would usually answer to a manager, or be one answering to another manager (aka god).
Working for free is part of the deal and wether or not you do and how much is dependant on your boss and/or company policy. It is possible to get a job with paid overtime being exempt, but its getting rarer.
If you work a holiday, you can expect to be able to take the day at a later date, but as for getting a day off in lieu of working for nothing? Never heard of it.
I work as an Engr. and mostly they are workaholic drones who get a boner when the boss calls them "professional".
Dunno about other jobs which are salaried (exempt).
Oh, don't be too surprised if you still have to punch a clock or at least keep a log of your hours / work done for a weekly or monthly report.
Its a lot of fun.
