British Expatriate Network

Any major differences between the two as far as how you are handled, how the jobs differ, etc?

Not really. Only the usual stuff - longer hours, less vacation, etc. in the U.S. ...the same as any job. From what I've heard and observed, in the U.K. they do seem less inclined to ship IT jobs overseas.

Hubby is in IT and worked in both the UK and then got a transfer over to the US with his company.

On the whole, his hours are less here than they were in the UK and he travels a lot less. Both places paid him well but not by the hour. His contract stated in the UK that his hours were 9-5 or until the job is complete - the job was never completed and there was many a time he would be working until 11pm, or even later, and regularly didn't get home before 8. Just before we left the UK he was traveling abroad for at least a 1/3 of the year.

He does get less vacation time but it was rare he got chance to use all his vacation time in the UK anyway. Yes, he got paid for what he didn't use whereas here he doesn't so he makes sure he uses it all up!

The people he works with - if you really want the truth then I think a PM would be better. But suffice to say, both countries have their non-workers, their 9-5ers no matter what is going on, and the hard workers who will finish a job properly no matter how long they have to stay after hours.

Stress levels don't change whichever country you are in roll

I have but it's apples and oranges as there, I worked for US company and here I work for the State of Oregon and qualify as a SEIU member.

As said before, it's slightly more pay here, less holidays and 5 more hours per week - partly why I'm considering packing it in here. Private sector here is like a big lottery so I won't even bother with that.

I have too, apart from the social aspect, UK is and US isn't pretty much the same.

Yeah, in England, we'd sometimes have a pint or two at lunchtime. You'd probably be fired here if you did the same... lol

ok, so you rumbled the true reason why I want to go back. Hope you're proud of yourself :lol:

Seriously. :wink: We only went on birthdays...trouble is, it was someone or other's birthday at least once a week.... :lol:

Since the missus agreed that we should go back I must admit its been hard to think of anything else.

In response to your comment on the other thread - but it fits better here - don't tell me you're too old at 42, I'm only 4 years behind you!

Almost the entire company took over the pub across the road every Friday lunchtime. It was semi-encouraged as the alternative was everyone getting smashed Thursday nights and then taking all of Friday off sick. Our American bosses just put it down to British eccentricities and didn't get involved which was great.

Sadly, that company is now mostly operating out of ****ing Bangalore or similar. :evil:

Here my husband is travelling 2 weeks out of a month, we don't get vacation time(even tough he has 4 weeks), last time they managed to find something else for him to do on our vacation week. This is one of the reasons we are going back, more vacation, stay close to family and friends.

Actually ,it was the other way around when John worked for his last fiem, although when they do go out at lunch I don't think any alcohol is drunk.

I worked in hi tech (Ti) here for years and we'd always go out for a beer at lunchtime. Never any problems with it.

Not that having a drink at lunchtime is the be all and end all of everything.

Andrew )

Every day was a few pints at the pub for Lunch hour.

Friday was maybe 3+ hours. On 2 occasions I ended up at my bosses house overnight.

There is no real difference, different users same problems.