Business culture in the US
Mar 16th 2009, 8:49 am
#31
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Business culture in the US
I find Americans, in general, talk a good job of work. I never met an American who doesn't spend every minute of their day, usually 10 hours + working. Just like those people who never lose money in the stockmarket, well until recently?
When condensed into real work I think its usually 4 hours. What I mean is they seem to obsess about having to spend time at work, or be seen to be working. I have always gone by the motto: work is an 8 hour interruption of my social life, but of course, here I would never say that!
+ the vacation days are awful.
When condensed into real work I think its usually 4 hours. What I mean is they seem to obsess about having to spend time at work, or be seen to be working. I have always gone by the motto: work is an 8 hour interruption of my social life, but of course, here I would never say that!
+ the vacation days are awful.
Yes, I've found that Americans are very proud of the sacrifice of their lives to the idea of "work". This notion of a work ethic is claimed by just about everyone and worn as a badge of honor. I allways say that I'd like a work ethic, but can't afford one.
Suggest you try this one (on the off that you haven't allready): use that well worn old expression of ours "don't work too hard" and note the reactions among various people. Its a good acid test of which ones are faking it - which is usually most of them.
*hint* do NOT say it to the boss unless you really don't care.
I have that philosophy also btw, that work is an invasion of my private life.
Right on comrade!
Mar 16th 2009, 11:08 am
#32
In the pink
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,324
Re: Business culture in the US
Hmmm.
Yes, I've found that Americans are very proud of the sacrifice of their lives to the idea of "work". This notion of a work ethic is claimed by just about everyone and worn as a badge of honor. I allways say that I'd like a work ethic, but can't afford one.
Suggest you try this one (on the off that you haven't allready): use that well worn old expression of ours "don't work too hard" and note the reactions among various people. Its a good acid test of which ones are faking it - which is usually most of them.
*hint* do NOT say it to the boss unless you really don't care.
I have that philosophy also btw, that work is an invasion of my private life.
Right on comrade!
Yes, I've found that Americans are very proud of the sacrifice of their lives to the idea of "work". This notion of a work ethic is claimed by just about everyone and worn as a badge of honor. I allways say that I'd like a work ethic, but can't afford one.
Suggest you try this one (on the off that you haven't allready): use that well worn old expression of ours "don't work too hard" and note the reactions among various people. Its a good acid test of which ones are faking it - which is usually most of them.
*hint* do NOT say it to the boss unless you really don't care.
I have that philosophy also btw, that work is an invasion of my private life.
Right on comrade!
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/...ary.php?id=352
Mar 16th 2009, 11:49 am
#33
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
Posts: 34,027
Re: Business culture in the US
You've been gone too long - my niece works in advertising in the UK, and is always talking about the long work hours.
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/...ary.php?id=352
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/...ary.php?id=352
I don't know anybody that works past 6.30pm here - and that's considered 'working late'! Plus of course most get 25 days hols so that helps the work life balance.
Mar 17th 2009, 4:33 pm
#34
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Business culture in the US
You've been gone too long - my niece works in advertising in the UK, and is always talking about the long work hours.
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/...ary.php?id=352
http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/...ary.php?id=352
Having read thru that link & wondering about OT pay, the only reference to getting paid was this:
"a need to improve take-home pay, either through overtime payments where available, commission, or performance related pay."
Do office staff or business "professionals" in England get paid for excess time worked in a week? As you say, its been a long time.
