[rickmb]

What strikes me about this article is the utter lack of understanding.

It is a highly subjective, very politicized and ideologically tainted description without any kind of understanding, and some of the attempts at interpretation of cultural and legal differences are either plain wrong or deliberately misrepresented.

It's an anti-European rant, nothing more. Here's a great gem for example:

"To work hard, to work long hours, is actually illegal in Europe."

Seriously.

[james4k]

You say that, but when I was working in the Netherlands, my colleagues and I were repeatedly told that we could not stay to work in the office past normal working hours. Even with impending deadlines that for the life of the company could not be moved, which is why we were working the long hours in the first place. To put it in perspective, at one point we were even told to work from home if needed, but to not tell them about it. I truly don't think there is any cultural misinterpretation there, this was pure legal paranoia. At least on this particular issue you pointed out.

[aluhut]

There are huge differences between the countries. I have two friends working for two different us gaming companies doing basicly the same job. One in France and one in Germany.

The one in France has a strict work schedule. If he has to do some special works like traveling for a fair or similar, he will be rewarded with freetime and/or money. Working late? Rewarded.

The guy in Germany has a real problem. He is working late in the night on daily bases but he is payed only for the 40h stated in his contract. Everybody knows about it. Everybody is doing it. The workload demands it also. Nobody is talkig about it. Sure he could sue them but hey, they don't tell you to do it.

[lttlrck]

The guy in Germany's problem is his contract.

[aluhut]

You cant set up a contract for the worktimes he is really working. It is illegal.

[GFischer]

In my country (Uruguay), labor laws have a mandated maximum of overtime. If a work inspector finds your company violationg that, the company is liable for some serious fines.

Also, employees can sue for unpaid overtime.

This makes companies extremely serious about employees leaving on time. In the company I work for, the computers automatically shut down at 6 p.m. (we're supposed to leave at five thirty).

[walshemj]

You can sue for unpaid OT in the USA as well.

[growse]

Just because you once had a job where your employer told you the law said a particular thing, doesn't mean the law actually says that particular thing.

I've worked long weeks before without any issue between myself and my employer (in the UK). Most people I converse with/encounter would probably say the same thing. All the EU working time directive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Time_Directive) says is that an employer can't force you to work more than 48 hours a week. If you want to work 23.5 hour days, 7 days a week, and an employer who's willing to pay for that, knock yourself out.

[Xylakant]

Not in germany. The law mandates ab absolute maximum of 10 hours a day, 10 hours break between shifts and max 60 hours a week unless there's some case of emergency. These already are the extended hours, that are only possible if the overtime can be taken off within a reasonable timeframe. The regular work-hours are 6 days of 8 hours. The employer is legally responsible that these limits are enforced.

[growse]

Did not know. Stand corrected. Seems this is UK-only. Wonder if there's a difference between a worker being salaried vs paid per hour?

[Xylakant]

No. There's a difference between employed workers where the regulations apply and freelancers that can actually do whatever they want. Actually if my employee were to accept a side-job he'd have to report it to me so that I can check he's not going over the 60 hours limit.

Interesting enough some companies start to recognize that long hours don't get them as much value as they thought. I know of a case where a pretty large enterprise customer has a "max 8 hours a day" clause for subcontractors and freelancers.

[justincormack]

I believe that only applies in the UK, from Wikipedia "in the United Kingdom, it is possible to opt out of the 48 hour working week and work longer hours". However in the rest of Europe that seems not to be the case, although the exact details of the hours and how they are structured depends on national legislation.

[jeroen94704]

That sounds highly company specific. I am Dutch, and I have never encountered this before, despite working at many different companies. While working overtime is not the norm, it is certainly not unheard of, or even particularly rare, when deadlines are approaching. Depending on your contract, you may get comped in money, extra vacation or not at all.

[rmc]

But then the opposite side is "ea_spouse" in the USA....

[nevvvermind]

That was the exact same sentence that changed my whole attitude; and I'm a tolerant guy. It's a pity that "work hard" and "work long hours" are separated only by a comma.

PS: I'm still "infected" by this article: http://www.salon.com/2012/03/14/bring_back_the_40_hour_work_...

[IsTom]

How is not working long hours a bad thing?

[mibbitier]

The point is that you can work as many hours as you choose.

[rmc]

The danger is that many people will have very little power to make a real choice, resulting in more powerful businesses being taking advantage of them.

That's the attitude that informs how & why that law was written.