[ChuckNorris89]

>in Europe, employers don't have to pay for insurance

They do in some cases. In France and Austria (I think Germany and others too), the gross salary you negociate to get is actually even higher for the employer as there is a tax the employer must pay on top of that to cover his side of the social contributions. I wish this would be more transparent.

What you said applies to places like Denmark, Switzerland, where the employer has to pay no extra taxes.

[commandlinefan]

That happens in America as well, and I don't think people are well aware of it - the employer is required to pay unemployment insurance on top of the salary they pay to each employee. If you collect unemployment, this is where that money comes from.

[leipert]

Usually employees in Germany need to calculate with 1.15 to 1.2x of the salary they negotiate with the employee. The employer needs to match social contributions (retirement, unemployment, health insurance)

[em500]

I don't know about Denmark or Switzerland, but in the Netherlands employers certainly have to pay premiums for social (mainly unemployment and disability) insurance.

[ChuckNorris89]

Ah sorry then. I thought otherwise.