I know you have probably read this kind of msg a thousand times before but i hoped you could give me both sidesto a story ? we live in yorkshire (cold 364 days of the year!) and both have jobs .we have decided that uk is going down hill and are tired of the weather and tax system. we are visiting again melbourne to find an area to live, but keep playing devils advocate on are things any better over there or should we put up and shut up!!! so any advice would be greatly appreciated
I know you have probably read this kind of msg a thousand times before but i hoped you could give me both sidesto a story ? we live in yorkshire (cold 364 days of the year!) and both have jobs .we have decided that uk is going down hill and are tired of the weather and tax system. we are visiting again melbourne to find an area to live, but keep playing devils advocate on are things any better over there or should we put up and shut up!!! so any advice would be greatly appreciated
many thanks john
Tax system?... only death will release you from taxation. Joking apart, tax is the same (or thereabouts), weather is better, but if your fed up in the UK you will probably be fed up in Aus (but warmer). No matter what advice anyone gives you... you will only find out once you're here living and working. Some (but few) love it all, most adjust to the 'bad' (whatever that is for them), and some hate it, only to return to UK, either glad they've given it a go or bitter at the cost both financial and personal.
I agree with fatpom. For us it was to be with my family here as my father is ill,but most of all it was to have a better family life and be in the sun,we have three kids aged 19yrs 17yrs and 9 yrs , in the uk our two older one were out with there friends alot,but the few times we have been over here to see the family we noticed that family went out as familys kids and adults,and that is what we do now. Sundays is our family day and we all decide were we want to go and then off we go,not as much fighting between them and we have such a great day and are getting to see lots of different places.
Sharon x
[friends alot,but the few times we have been over here to see the family we noticed that family went out as familys kids and adults,and that is what we do now. Sundays is our family day and we all decide were we want to go and then off we go,not as much fighting between them and we have such a great day and are getting to see lots of different places.
Sharon x[/quote]
I was over in Oz last August and we noticed a lot more fathers out after work with their kids not just mothers and this was on normal week days, not just the weekend.
It takes me all my time to see my children at weekends in the UK due to work commitments.............I don't mind working hard wherever I live, but they certainly seem to have the work/play balance right over there...........the sooner the better!!
I was over in Oz last August and we noticed a lot more fathers out after work with their kids not just mothers and this was on normal week days, not just the weekend.
It takes me all my time to see my children at weekends in the UK due to work commitments.............I don't mind working hard wherever I live, but they certainly seem to have the work/play balance right over there...........the sooner the better!!
Pat
This is a common misconception. Australians work some of the longest hours in the OECD behind only Japan if I recall correctly so that means more than the USA and the more than the UK amongst others.
There have been too many current affairs reports recently for this to not be true to some extent. In my particular industry sector if you work on a salaried wage you will be paid for say 7.5 hours but if you don't do at least 9hrs per day you'll not be working there too long.
Maybe public service sector workers can expect good working hours but I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover that's changing too?
A continuous 60/hr week... week in week out is not unusual for lower mgt upwards, 50+ is common for very many clerical/admin.
There are many studies coming out at the moment commenting on the loss of family life balance saying that kids are missing out on time with their parents particularly fathers. Everyone is listening except business.
[friends alot,but the few times we have been over here to see the family we noticed that family went out as familys kids and adults,and that is what we do now. Sundays is our family day and we all decide were we want to go and then off we go,not as much fighting between them and we have such a great day and are getting to see lots of different places.
Sharon x
I was over in Oz last August and we noticed a lot more fathers out after work with their kids not just mothers and this was on normal week days, not just the weekend.
It takes me all my time to see my children at weekends in the UK due to work commitments.............I don't mind working hard wherever I live, but they certainly seem to have the work/play balance right over there...........the sooner the better!!
Pat[/quote]
LOL sorry, had to laugh, having lived with a workaholic for the past 35 years (today is a holiday and where is he??? yup, at the office - his PART time job!!!) I dont know that the work/life balance is inherently any better or worse than at home!
The jaundiced part of me says that given the very high number of separated/divorced families here, the reason one sees so many fathers out with their kids (usually at some sporting event/training) is because it is their access time! Alternatively it is because it is a sporting event and dad wants an excuse to go and barrack for whichever team he wants to barrack for. I notice far fewer kids out playing in their yards - even fewer than there used to be 20 years ago and I rarely see dads out playing with them. We live beside a school oval which you would think would be a kid magnet at the weekend - if you see a child/family playing on it once a month then that would be about it.
Of course, as with everything, it depends on your circumstances. I work for a large multinational at junior management level and the company takes the view that if you are in the office 60 hours a week then you're not doing your job properly. I'd say about 40 is normal, 45-50 a long week and I frequently don't clock up more than 37.5 as per my contract. Any company that employs you on the basis of 37.5 hours and then expects you to put in a normal week of 60 hours (unpaid) has issues further up the tree and needs to sort out their resourcing.
Of course, as with everything, it depends on your circumstances. I work for a large multinational at junior management level and the company takes the view that if you are in the office 60 hours a week then you're not doing your job properly. I'd say about 40 is normal, 45-50 a long week and I frequently don't clock up more than 37.5 as per my contract. Any company that employs you on the basis of 37.5 hours and then expects you to put in a normal week of 60 hours (unpaid) has issues further up the tree and needs to sort out their resourcing.
I agree with you wholeheartedly regards poor work performance due to long hours. The OECD figures and my experience only states it as it is... not how it should be.
The industrial engineering human work measurement formula roughly states that you reach peak performance (100%) at the end of 2 hours and you're at 30% after the eight hour mark. If you see people who work a regualar 60hr week they work like zombies... though they can't see it.
By the way the last multinational I worked for stated in its policy (international work policy) that no more than 60hrs per week should be worked to ensure family balance. This is interpretted locally that normally you shall work close to 60. Also any dept mgr who reduced his workforce that year got a $5K Christmas bonus per employee. That's a pretty big incentive if you've got 100+ working for you. You can always worry about the loss of a half dozen later if need be but usually putting the pressure on lower down is too easy.
I agree with you wholeheartedly regards poor work performance due to long hours. The OECD figures and my experience only states it as it is... not how it should be.
The industrial engineering human work measurement formula roughly states that you reach peak performance (100%) at the end of 2 hours and you're at 30% after the eight hour mark. If you see people who work a regualar 60hr week they work like zombies... though they can't see it.
By the way the last multinational I worked for stated in its policy (international work policy) that no more than 60hrs per week should be worked to ensure family balance. This is interpretted locally that normally you shall work close to 60. Also any dept mgr who reduced his workforce that year got a $5K Christmas bonus per employee. That's a pretty big incentive if you've got 100+ working for you. You can always worry about the loss of a half dozen later if need be but usually putting the pressure on lower down is too easy.
I can well believe folk are operating at 30% after eight hours. I often end up taking a 2 hour lunch away from my desk and staying an hour later just to ensure my brain is working properly.
That is a shocking incentive to offer! I reckon its false economy in the long run too as you’re better off having two motivated people producing reports etc than one strung out coffee junkie that can’t focus well enough to proof read a document. Very dodgy ground that and most definitely where mistakes are made. I’ve done the odd 60 or 70 hour week when a big tender was on the table or at critical stages of construction and I could barely have told you my own name by the end of them (got time in lieu at the end of it too). How people can do that as standard is beyond me.
It’s also a big risk for the company as they are responsible for the employee from when they leave their house until they arrive home. If a member of staff crashes and kills two kids on the way home and he/she has been working 60 hours a week for the last six months then things could get rather sticky for the employer.
It really pisses me off when companies do that, especially if they don’t pay over time and try to threaten your position.
Joking apart, tax is the same (or thereabouts), weather is better, but if your fed up in the UK you will probably be fed up in Aus (but warmer). No matter what advice anyone gives you... you will only find out once you're here living and working. Some (but few) love it all, most adjust to the 'bad' (whatever that is for them), and some hate it, only to return to UK, either glad they've given it a go or bitter at the cost both financial and personal.
