[rmc]

> > People claim that startups work you hard, I personally don’t see it. From people I’ve talked to, I’d say 50 hour weeks are average. That’s about what you see in corporate America these days.

> I think only in America would somebody say 50 hour weeks don't count as working you hard.

50 hour weeks are technically illegal in the European Union. EU Working Time Directive sets the max working week at 48 hours.

[ulfw]

One of the multitude of examples how law in the European Union (on average) is geared towards protecting the individual (citizen) whereas in America it seems to be geared towards the needs of the (big) corporations.

[rmc]

I think one big root cause is the US idea of "the land of oppertunity" where "an immigrant can step off the boat at ellis island, work hard, and own a skyscraper in Manhatten". In Europe, with it's long history of classism, the lower classes knew that they would never own the company, and trade unions were stronger, which led to stronger employement law.