The Off Topic Topic

[Ed Anger]

Damn Serbs.

[Zanza]

I thought this was unlawful in Europe.

It is. The law is usually not enforced though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Time_Directive

[The Brain]

a right to work no more than 48 hours per week.

Good old EU.

[Norgy]

MAH HAMMOCK!!!

[Ideologue]

I thought this was unlawful in Europe.

It is. The law is usually not enforced though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Time_Directive

That's some bullshit, then.  Iorm, neither you nor your employer should be breaking the law designed to implement the economic policy of your state, any more so than you should be paid less than the minimum wage or you should work as a doctor without a license.  Your friend's tantrum was justified.  That said, you're a victim, too.

[Ideologue]

Also I expect a lot of people are about to act like what I just said was some kind of ideological monstrosity or even a personal attack--when all I said was that people ought to, in general, obey the law.

[Iormlund]

I thought this was unlawful in Europe.

It is. The law is usually not enforced though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Time_Directive

That's some bullshit, then.  Iorm, neither you nor your employer should be breaking the law designed to implement the economic policy of your state, any more so than you should be paid less than the minimum wage or you should work as a doctor without a license.  Your friend's tantrum was justified.  That said, you're a victim, too.

The law says average of 48 hours a week. My usual week has about 40 hours of work. But during commissioning this jumps up to whatever is needed (basically only enough rest to keep going). This is perfectly lawful.

[Ideologue]

Very well.  You're a hard worker and I hope you carry on.

I thought you were pulling an average of 80.  Which would be awful though not impossible.

[Iormlund]

My average might be about 60h/week so far, but that's just because I've been here only for a few weeks and half of that time was in commissioning mode. It should go down eventually, though not before Fall (first comes this phase for a Tier 1 supplier, then final commissioning on their site in Poland, then in August switch projects to an OEM not far from here). My case is also fairly unusual in that I actually enjoy doing what I do. The day goes very fast and I'm learning a lot of useful stuff (robots, welding, lasers ...). Well, except during social calls. Bleh, leave that to sales guys.

That been said, there are many instances of violations of employment law. Some are rooted in tradition -- for example many white collar workers (like yours truly) don't receive overtime, whereas manual workers such as electricians or plumbers typically do. This is usually settled during the job interview. If the employee is valuable enough though, a smart employer will often grant some kind of bonus regardless when workload is significantly increased. I asked the boss for one yesterday and he agreed.

The people who are worst off are obviously those without marketable skills. With so many unemployed they are basically fucked, but I don't have much experience in that area (most of my friends have either a uni degree or some useful vocational training).

[Ideologue]

In fairness, I was bummed out when I was capped at 40hrs/wk.

I still don't understand that, unless it's a tacit admission that for the previous year and nine months they'd been violating the FLSA.

[mongers]

I like employers who are flexible, some give and take on both parts, help get the job done; I once successfully negotiated to get paid for the hours of the morning and evening commutes, as I argued Id be picking up some fellow workers on route.

[Ideologue]

You're a really strong cyclist.

[Iormlund]

That must be an awfully big basket you have in your bike.


On the original point, the truth is my friend is not out of a job becuase someone else is working too much. The truth is he's not qualified to do what I do. He has no job because of the way he has handled his career. And he knows it. During the good old days he kept jumping ship (and role) as soon as someone offered him a better salary. His CV speaks of someone without a defined profile who won't stick around for long. So now he's in long-term unemployment despite his engineering degree.

[mongers]

You're a really strong cyclist.

No just a large pick-up.

[celedhring]

Do you want to work the longest hours? Do like me, become a freelancer! Trifles like workplace legislation don't apply to us.