[nxb]

But go talk to some people who've only ever experienced these types of business cultures, and they'll start listing for you a ton of reasons why it would be IMPOSSIBLE for the business world to operate as well or better, if it were any other way.

These slavery books are still pretty common in parts of Europe too.

[thesz]

I think you are talking about трудовые книжки (work books) in relatively modern Russia.

Basically, it is a resume in regulated form. Nothing more or less. Certainly not slavery book.

[nxb]

Talking about another country.

Regardless, US culture says that this sort of thing gives the employer far too much power over the employee, and that there are plenty of unscrupulous employers who use that leverage against the employees to make them do what they want, far beyond what the US considers appropriate.

EEU culture typically says the world is far worse without these books and that there couldn't possibly be any downsides that outweigh the costs, or that there are bandaids which could theoretically fix any problems with it.

Neither side will likely ever convince the other side on this topic, so no point in arguing about it :)

[oblio]

Where in Europe?

[nxb]

South Eastern Europe. I'm curious about how common it is elsewhere in Europe too.

[ByatchMatch]

I live in SEE. While we did have "work books" containing our employment history they were eliminated about 7 years ago. All that is now stored electronically in a central place. And it's used as evidence of payed benefits for x amount of time, eligibility for retirement and similar things.

[Symbiote]

As someone living in Western/Northern Europe, it's not clear to me what you mean. Can you describe it a bit more?

The British government knew where I worked, through the tax system. They knew, more-or-less, where I lived, by my registration to vote (compulsory, though not well enforced as far as I know). Is that what you don't like?