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Made In Germany? 70 Percent Just 'Work To the Rule' Says A New Study.
Spiegel-Online ^
| January 19, 2004
| Spiegel-Online
Posted on 01/19/2004 3:18:51 AM PST by longjack
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A sad commentary.
In a socialist system where careers are planned early and career changes are difficult, this must be a living hell .
In spite of 4, 5 or 6 weeks of vacation.
longjack
1
posted on
01/19/2004 3:18:53 AM PST
by
longjack
To: americanbychoice; An.American.Expatriate; a_Turk; austinTparty; BMCDA; CatoRenasci; demlosers; ...
German Ping.
longjack
2
posted on
01/19/2004 3:19:50 AM PST
by
longjack
To: Prodigal Son
ping.
longjack
3
posted on
01/19/2004 3:20:47 AM PST
by
longjack
To: longjack
In a socialist system where careers are planned early and career changes are difficult..... Shrillary & Company want this for USA, as well. Remember the School to Work program?
4
posted on
01/19/2004 3:29:53 AM PST
by
jimtorr
To: longjack
Nothing against anybody, but I think sometimes
the German rigidity goes against the human side
of things.
5
posted on
01/19/2004 3:33:35 AM PST
by
Twinkie
To: longjack
The funny thing is....Germany is the 'economic engine' of Europe.
To: longjack
And the USA isnt far behind I see. No shock there. When 70-80% of your earnings are stolen by your elected officials to line their pockets, it makes for a hard pill to swallow going to work each day.
7
posted on
01/19/2004 3:55:29 AM PST
by
crz
To: blanknoone
It won't be when the USA pulls completely out of there, it'll fall on its ass.
8
posted on
01/19/2004 5:03:03 AM PST
by
FrogMom
(There really ARE barbarians at the gate!)
To: longjack
And, from what I understand, it's NIGH IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of an under/badly performing employee in Germany.... they get shoved into a backroom to make them quit, is what I've heard...
9
posted on
01/19/2004 5:39:13 AM PST
by
goodnesswins
(Poverty is more about the "mental" than the "money.")
To: goodnesswins
Make sure your Mercedes is made in America. Germany produces a lot of junk these days.
To: kittymyrib
My "mercedes?".....LOL...ROFL.....ROFLMBO....AS if.
11
posted on
01/19/2004 5:49:13 AM PST
by
goodnesswins
(Poverty is more about the "mental" than the "money.")
To: crz
I don't think they steal 70 to 80 % of your income. Unless of course, you are living somewhere else. I think it is the normal state of affairs that most people don't really like their jobs, its just a living. Only the few who are in charge, creative, making things happen like what they do. Most just go and get their paycheck.
12
posted on
01/19/2004 6:24:04 AM PST
by
cajungirl
(.)
To: longjack
18 per cent have already resigned internally. Sounds like US Fed Civil Service! Except that in Civil Service more like 50% have resigned internally.
I've felt all along that those who worry about the economic power of a united Europe were wasting their time. When you look at the ridiculous and lazy welfare state mentality of the average European worker you can see that it's only a matter of time until these nations collapse in ruin. Didn't the PM of the Czech Republic make some statement about Europeans being stuck in a fantasy land of a cradle to grave free ride to prosperity?
These nations are still running on the inertia of the hard workers who rebuilt Europe after the devastation of WWII. Their younger generation is way too fond of vacations. What good is free healthcare if all the providers are "resigned internally"? If everyone goes on the dole then everything comes to a screeching halt.
13
posted on
01/19/2004 6:34:13 AM PST
by
Seruzawa
(sure cure for depression - turn off the news and throw away your newspaper.)
To: crz
silly statement. I bet you couldn't substantiate that?
To: longjack
My husband worked for a subsidiary of his company in Germany.
They had another American there who ran the shipping a receiving department.He was there for like 6 years. A work horse, worked 12 hour days, rarely called in sick, good attitude, etc. The Germans hated him.
So when the company sent my husband and another head honcho over, first thing the head honcho decides is-it is time for the shipping American to go home, he is costing too much as an expat.
So, he leaves and a German man fills the position. First thing he does is announce that Fridays are short days ending at 3:00, brings in a fridge, stocks with food and beer. Next thing they know, the whole apartment is drunk half the time.
15
posted on
01/19/2004 7:41:02 AM PST
by
riri
To: longjack
I'm working to the rule right now. That's life sometimes, it's not hell it's just boring.
16
posted on
01/19/2004 7:42:14 AM PST
by
discostu
(and the tenor sax is blowing its nose)
To: discostu
I'm lucky, my job isn't locale/company dependent, so I can move anywhere if I want (or hvae the bllas
[yes, I read that spelling thread]) to.
I always hated those places I worked where the 'work to the rule' philosophy was dominant. I also had friends in Germany who hated what they did but were locked into the system, so to speak. They were miserable. No or a bleak future. That's why this article interested me so much.
At least here we have more freedom to switch careers if we have or need to. It's also easier over here to convert a hobby or an aptitude into a career, I think.
longjack
17
posted on
01/19/2004 8:10:42 AM PST
by
longjack
To: longjack
The work to the rules philosophy isn't dominant here, there's just no reason to put extra effort into things. Towing the company line is the easy route to raises and a good way to avoid promotions (which usually don't involve raises). It's the kind of place that makes you value you're time off. It's only miserable when I start giving a crap, as long as I keep that layer of defense it's a comfortable chair and fast internet connection.
Eventually I plan to flee and try to get a job I can like again, it is more fun that way.
Misspell all you want, just don't try to tell me programmers don't need to spell well ;)
18
posted on
01/19/2004 8:18:29 AM PST
by
discostu
(and the tenor sax is blowing its nose)
To: riri
So, he leaves and a German man fills the position. First thing he does is announce that Fridays are short days ending at 3:00, brings in a fridge, stocks with food and beer. Next thing they know, the whole apartment is drunk half the time.riri,
What I don't get is what stops European companies from "outsourcing"???
It would seem to make more sense over there!
19
posted on
01/19/2004 9:14:50 AM PST
by
Lael
(Bush to Middle Class: Send your kids to DIE in Iraq while I send your LIVELIHOODS to INDIA!)
To: discostu
20
posted on
01/19/2004 9:25:03 AM PST
by
longjack
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