USA people have crap holidays from work
Discussion
oyster said:
Some Gump said:
I don't even know how many days I get. I've not used all my holiday ever, in 12 years. My US colleagues only get a few days, but earn double what we do in Europe. I'd happily swap.
What's the point having more money if you 've no time to spend it ?wc98 said:
Jimbeaux said:
Perhaps that is why we have better service, etc here; being replaced by someone better is a motivator. 
pehaps that is why we rarely have disgruntled ex employees going on a bender then returning to their old work place and shooting the boss dead 
,having worked for a large multi national american company in the uk it became apparent that the all the team building stuff they pushed was b
ks. the main goal seemed to be to get as high up the management ladder as possible to increase the settlement when the eventual sacking,the ultimate goal was senior management where the bonuses were structured similar to the banking industry here ,and severance payments if confidentiality agreements were signed were large.
the best way to progress appeared to be agreeing with absolutely everything an immediate superior said as dissent was guaranteed to end in dismissal. this was hilarious when senior management personnel changed and the new top man would announce a completely opposite strategy to his predecessor and the underlings would announce their buy in to something which they had recently rubbished or been pushing the complete opposite viewpoint to the workforce.
all very false ,absolutely no loyalty and a distinct lack of common sense . massaging senior executive ego was far more important than actually improving company performance.
i later learned this particular company was regarded as one of the s
ttier ones in the industry in the us ,but it soured my opinion of american companies and these days there is no way i would ever work for another.unless it was in the states and i had access to guns I'm finishing at the end of the year thank god - like you, I will avoid working for American companies in future if at all possible.
unrepentant said:
oyster said:
Some Gump said:
I don't even know how many days I get. I've not used all my holiday ever, in 12 years. My US colleagues only get a few days, but earn double what we do in Europe. I'd happily swap.
What's the point having more money if you 've no time to spend it ?DrDoofenshmirtz said:
wc98 said:
Jimbeaux said:
Perhaps that is why we have better service, etc here; being replaced by someone better is a motivator.
pehaps that is why we rarely have disgruntled ex employees going on a bender then returning to their old work place and shooting the boss dead ,having worked for a large multi national american company in the uk it became apparent that the all the team building stuff they pushed was bks. the main goal seemed to be to get as high up the management ladder as possible to increase the settlement when the eventual sacking,the ultimate goal was senior management where the bonuses were structured similar to the banking industry here ,and severance payments if confidentiality agreements were signed were large.
the best way to progress appeared to be agreeing with absolutely everything an immediate superior said as dissent was guaranteed to end in dismissal. this was hilarious when senior management personnel changed and the new top man would announce a completely opposite strategy to his predecessor and the underlings would announce their buy in to something which they had recently rubbished or been pushing the complete opposite viewpoint to the workforce.
all very false ,absolutely no loyalty and a distinct lack of common sense . massaging senior executive ego was far more important than actually improving company performance.
i later learned this particular company was regarded as one of the s
ttier ones in the industry in the us ,but it soured my opinion of american companies and these days there is no way i would ever work for another.unless it was in the states and i had access to guns I'm finishing at the end of the year thank god - like you, I will avoid working for American companies in future if at all possible.
Why is it people who love the big commission seem happy to spend less time with their family and kids? Surely that's what life is all about.
I cannot imagine rather being at work than with the wife and kids - if anyone has no kids and thinks that way maybe the mrs they are with isn't "the one".
I cannot imagine rather being at work than with the wife and kids - if anyone has no kids and thinks that way maybe the mrs they are with isn't "the one".
Jimbeaux said:
You do realize that there is no such thing as "how American companies are" anymore than for Brit companies. Each are different as the path to where they are and the people that brought them there.
To be fair different countries do have their own style of business culture, for example there is a big diference between the styles of US and UK Private Equity firms.loafer123 said:
Jimbeaux said:
You do realize that there is no such thing as "how American companies are" anymore than for Brit companies. Each are different as the path to where they are and the people that brought them there.
To be fair different countries do have their own style of business culture, for example there is a big diference between the styles of US and UK Private Equity firms.When I worked for a US company, the allowance was:
- 20 days holiday
- 1 'religious day' (per calendar year, and you can't carry it over)
- Between Christmas and New Year was 'free' (so that equated to another 3 days normally)
All in 24 days.
Now work for the Civil Service:
- Basic allowance of 25 days
- One 'courtesy day' which normally falls on a Tuesday after the May Bank Holiday.
In the Civil Service those on the lower grades also seem to have 'flex-time' - where they can 'earn' extra days holiday if they work over their contracted hours (37 per week). Think it applies to everyone below Senior Civil Service. I work way over my contractual hours (normally ~50 per week vs 37 contracted) with no overtime payment and don't take flexitime days. Useful get-out clause in case anyone queries anything if you need to leave early or arrive late sometimes though.
- 20 days holiday
- 1 'religious day' (per calendar year, and you can't carry it over)
- Between Christmas and New Year was 'free' (so that equated to another 3 days normally)
All in 24 days.
Now work for the Civil Service:
- Basic allowance of 25 days
- One 'courtesy day' which normally falls on a Tuesday after the May Bank Holiday.
In the Civil Service those on the lower grades also seem to have 'flex-time' - where they can 'earn' extra days holiday if they work over their contracted hours (37 per week). Think it applies to everyone below Senior Civil Service. I work way over my contractual hours (normally ~50 per week vs 37 contracted) with no overtime payment and don't take flexitime days. Useful get-out clause in case anyone queries anything if you need to leave early or arrive late sometimes though.
Welshbeef said:
Why is it people who love the big commission seem happy to spend less time with their family and kids? Surely that's what life is all about.
I don't think you can generalise like that.My dad spent large amounts of his time working very hard whilst me and my brother were growing up, a minimum of 6 days a week and often long hours.
He started his own company about 2 years before we were born and consequently worked flat out from that time onwards.
On one hand some would say that as a parent you should spend more time with your kids, but on the other hand, what he did was providing for his family.
As a kid I always knew that Dad 'worked hard' and spent a lot of time at work, but I never thought it strange, and I would certainly say I didn't feel like I was missing out on him or vice versa, we still spent time together and when we did he made the most of it.
The upside is that his company grew and grew due to his efforts, and he provided us all with a lifestyle that I am still grateful for to this day at the age of 33.
The stuff we have done and the places we have been over the years as a family thanks to his hard work are quite something.
I would think the same of any of the guys with families that work long hours to chase a bonus or a promotion. Yes, you might not see your kids quite as much, but as life progresses they will probably be most grateful for your hard work when they get opportunities such as being able to go off to university with everything paid for and not have to worry about the £30,000+ of debt they would otherwise have had to suffer just to get a degree, or perhaps a sizeable deposit for a first house, or even just a first house paid bought for them... you get the idea.
I get 30 days plus 7 bank holidays and I can also take up to 1.5 days per month on flexi leave if I work up my hours (not difficult to work through lunch) so in theory 55 days per year. I've never managed to take anything like my full entitlement(I'd never get on top of my workload) but I believe I have some colleagues who do.(I don't know who they are as I never see them.)
bloomen said:
US employment is berserk.
Whilst over there I got talking to a British nurse who'd worked for the same hospital in Denver for 35 years.
Her brother back in the UK was dying. She asked for an unpaid month back home to say goodbye. Her employers told her that would be fine, she'd just have to reapply for her old job when she got back.
Not a place I'd want to live.
She is misinformed.Whilst over there I got talking to a British nurse who'd worked for the same hospital in Denver for 35 years.
Her brother back in the UK was dying. She asked for an unpaid month back home to say goodbye. Her employers told her that would be fine, she'd just have to reapply for her old job when she got back.
Not a place I'd want to live.
The Family Medical Leave Act i a Federal Law that allows her to deal with those exact circumstances. When she returns, they have to give her an equivalent job back at the same pay.
She might be on Ward C instead of Ward D but she still keeps her job, whether she goes for 6 weeks or 6 months.
Our US Management Team has evolved a culture where they 'give back' holidays each year. Their entitlement is 20-25 days however most take between 10 and 15 max!
They then give up the remaining days, allowing them to reset each year.
There's about 8 VP's that participate in this ridiculous practice, which is only worthwhile (to them) because they all go on about it at the Global Meeting, True Martyrs it seems!
I'm good friends with one of them and he hates it. He'd accrued about 8 surplus days and tried to take a few long weekends and was told "that ain't the way senior management does things buddy!"
I'm glad to say in the EU and Asia teams we don't subscribe to this, and instead of impressing us, we think they're just plain nuts!
Actually, as I type I recall another tactic the US team do. They book vacations and then cancel them at the last minute in order to fix some 'major' issue. This has happened about 3 times this year already amongst them. It's just ridiculous.
They then give up the remaining days, allowing them to reset each year.
There's about 8 VP's that participate in this ridiculous practice, which is only worthwhile (to them) because they all go on about it at the Global Meeting, True Martyrs it seems!
I'm good friends with one of them and he hates it. He'd accrued about 8 surplus days and tried to take a few long weekends and was told "that ain't the way senior management does things buddy!"
I'm glad to say in the EU and Asia teams we don't subscribe to this, and instead of impressing us, we think they're just plain nuts!
Actually, as I type I recall another tactic the US team do. They book vacations and then cancel them at the last minute in order to fix some 'major' issue. This has happened about 3 times this year already amongst them. It's just ridiculous.
Working for a US company in the US currently.
5 Days annual leave in the first year. (Coming from the UK where I had 32 Days annual leave)...
10 Days for the next four years.
To a max 12days after 5 years service.
I need to add, in the US if a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend? Tough, it doesn't get moved to the Monday or Friday.
And the other thing, almost no-one at my place ever takes their allocated holiday. Chatting to one lady (45-ish) and she was excited to be taking her first EVER two week vacation from work. Across the US I think only 50% of people take all their allocated leave, and generally its a bit frowned upon by your peers. I kinda see why Americans think the Euros are so lazy, but I think some of that is just jealousy as well...
5 Days annual leave in the first year. (Coming from the UK where I had 32 Days annual leave)...
10 Days for the next four years.
To a max 12days after 5 years service.
I need to add, in the US if a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend? Tough, it doesn't get moved to the Monday or Friday.
And the other thing, almost no-one at my place ever takes their allocated holiday. Chatting to one lady (45-ish) and she was excited to be taking her first EVER two week vacation from work. Across the US I think only 50% of people take all their allocated leave, and generally its a bit frowned upon by your peers. I kinda see why Americans think the Euros are so lazy, but I think some of that is just jealousy as well...
Brother D said:
Working for a US company in the US currently.
5 Days annual leave in the first year. (Coming from the UK where I had 32 Days annual leave)...
10 Days for the next four years.
To a max 12days after 5 years service.
I need to add, in the US if a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend? Tough, it doesn't get moved to the Monday or Friday.
And the other thing, almost no-one at my place ever takes their allocated holiday. Chatting to one lady (45-ish) and she was excited to be taking her first EVER two week vacation from work. Across the US I think only 50% of people take all their allocated leave, and generally its a bit frowned upon by your peers. I kinda see why Americans think the Euros are so lazy, but I think some of that is just jealousy as well...
so long as you can save a good portion of your higher income, you will be able to enjoy a good retirement (assuming haven't died early of stress).5 Days annual leave in the first year. (Coming from the UK where I had 32 Days annual leave)...
10 Days for the next four years.
To a max 12days after 5 years service.
I need to add, in the US if a Bank Holiday falls on a weekend? Tough, it doesn't get moved to the Monday or Friday.
And the other thing, almost no-one at my place ever takes their allocated holiday. Chatting to one lady (45-ish) and she was excited to be taking her first EVER two week vacation from work. Across the US I think only 50% of people take all their allocated leave, and generally its a bit frowned upon by your peers. I kinda see why Americans think the Euros are so lazy, but I think some of that is just jealousy as well...
Are US employees allowed to take unpaid leave?
US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
Moonhawk said:
Are US employees allowed to take unpaid leave?
US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
Tax is much higher though? Or is it?US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
Would anyone really consider living in the USA instead of our great country UK? Grass may seem greener but we live in a great country with relatively few issues in the grand scheme.
Welshbeef said:
Moonhawk said:
Are US employees allowed to take unpaid leave?
US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
Tax is much higher though? Or is it?US employees (at least in my sector) get paid far more than UK employees. The salary bands of the equivalent grades in the US were something like 25-40% higher than the UK bands - and thats before you factor in the lower cost of living over there.
Most companies I have worked for give 25 days + bank hols. I'm currently self employed though.
Would anyone really consider living in the USA instead of our great country UK? Grass may seem greener but we live in a great country with relatively few issues in the grand scheme.
Welshbeef said:
Tax is much higher though? Or is it?
Would anyone really consider living in the USA instead of our great country UK? Grass may seem greener but we live in a great country with relatively few issues in the grand scheme.
A bit of an over generalisation. Tax is generally lower. Depending on where you live, housing can be very cheap compared to the more expensive parts of the UK. Couple that with lower motoring costs and the financial picture can be quite compelling. Lots of other things to consider like healthcare costs, Education (if you have or plan to have kids)etc etc.Would anyone really consider living in the USA instead of our great country UK? Grass may seem greener but we live in a great country with relatively few issues in the grand scheme.
pp
Pickled Piper said:
A bit of an over generalisation. Tax is generally lower. Depending on where you live, housing can be very cheap compared to the more expensive parts of the UK. Couple that with lower motoring costs and the financial picture can be quite compelling. Lots of other things to consider like healthcare costs, Education (if you have or plan to have kids)etc etc.
pp
A friend / old mark mate of mine took a role in the US May this year he has a family and they were intending on moving out there May next year. He has some insightpp
1. Its epically hard to meet people
2. Generally people commute very long distances so as soon as they finish off they go home so no 5 a aside football
3. Just saying hello or similar in supermarkets you get totally ignored
4. Arrogance and rudeness is a frequent daily occurrence
5. Exceptionally insular and care little for outside of the US bubble
6. Seeing signs of no guns to enter is a concern
7. There doesn't seem to be an MOT system so cars literally crabbing on the road just do so - no idea if that's true or he has seen lots of clapped out cars
8. If you move out there you have to work there for >5 years else the green card can be revoked in with 30days notice and that you cannot get a mortgage due to that.
He didn't say much about upsides.
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