Canadians feeling guilty about taking jobs away from Americans?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Not sure why I would feel guilty? I am legally here and the US government has authorized me to work.

Even for those folks on work VISAs of various types - the companies that hire them have to jump through some pretty significant government hoops to prove they couldn't find a US worker who could do the same job first.

As a legal immigrant, I totally have a problem with anyone here illegally for any reason, period. I waited a long time and paid good money to immigrate legally. I also have a problem with the companies who are willing to look the other way and hire illegal immigrants. Now they probably aren't the kind of jobs I'd be applying for anyway, I just have a problem with the illegal part. I don't know how many 'professional' jobs are being taken anyway.

One thing I will say even from back in Canada - you can always find someone willing to complain about how the 'damn immigrants' are taking jobs away....usually those folks are the ones not willing to lift a finger and actually work hard anyway Just saying......

And yet Canadians and Americans go and work all over the world and never bother to learn the language of the country they are living in - and it doesn't seem to be a big deal. Maybe it's arrogant for us as (predominantly) English speakers to expect them to have perfect or near perfect English.

Good one - and yes, it is very arrogant of us

[SKYWAY 0]

I find it more amusing to not tell people where i am from and this is one good reason why... you hear a few complaining about immigrants and stuff and bad talking them ... then they find out by someone else and then you see the change in conversations ..

Some reason that's just more amusing to me. But have to say i've never been treated poorly here when people find out i'm not american so thats good

[Dana-Mića 51]

Im a P.R. and soon to be an American Citizen (february 26th) and I believe that who ever works in this country has a right to work in it. Even illegals because most jobs they do for the pay they do it for most Americans wont do it. For example restaurant workers work 12hr shifts everyday 6-7 fays a week for about 5-7 dollars an hour and I still haven't seen one American come and apply for a job like that

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I havn't gotten an EAD yet, but I feel no guilt what so ever in "taking away a job from an American".

They're obviously not trying hard enough if I'm the one that got it!

[bowflex 0]

Im a P.R. and soon to be an American Citizen (february 26th) and I believe that who ever works in this country has a right to work in it. Even illegals because most jobs they do for the pay they do it for most Americans wont do it. For example restaurant workers work 12hr shifts everyday 6-7 fays a week for about 5-7 dollars an hour and I still haven't seen one American come and apply for a job like that

This is actually one of the most common misconceptions and it seems to be a rallying cry to me. The problem isn't that Americans won't do those jobs, it's that the companies that employ illegal immigrants typically pay completely below allowable limits and obviously an American would just complain and get that company in trouble.

If the laws were changed to affect the companies that employ illegal immigrants more harshly there would be some change.

[MtlMama 0]

I was on a job forum today and it seems that I inadvertently hit a nerve on some Americans, who feel that "foreign professionals" should not "steal" jobs from some Americans. I personally don't feel guilty. Your thoughts??

As an American who worked in Canada for many years, was consistently promoted and consequently told by Canadian co-workers that they were unhappy they were passed over for me, I would have to say NO. As another poster said, the better candidate gets the job.

K

[TimandJoyce 1]

I don't feel guilty. My skills are such that most places I can apply to are retail, and so I know I'm not the only person applying. There will be other Americans, possible Canadians, and other nationalities applying. The job will go to the one with not only experience, but also that "first impression" given on the day of interview.

Even if I did have other skills to apply for a more *professional* job...I'd still not be the only one applying, and the position would still go to the one for the exact same reasons.

Hmmm hard to express what one is thinking in these forums sometimes...so I really hope all that makes sense..

Edited February 15, 2010 by TimandJoyce

[trailmix 77]

As an American who worked in Canada for many years, was consistently promoted and consequently told by Canadian co-workers that they were unhappy they were passed over for me, I would have to say NO. As another poster said, the better candidate gets the job.

K

So they expressed that they were unhappy with you getting promoted because you are American?

I don't think the better applicant getting the job plays in to this really. I think we are talking about immigrants coming to the U.S. and stealing American jobs - whether you are not qualified, qualified or over qualified, whether your resume is outstanding or your first impression at an interview rocks - is really beside the point.

Edited February 15, 2010 by trailmix

[Tina&Roland 4]

So they expressed that they were unhappy with you getting promoted because you are American?

I don't think the better applicant getting the job plays in to this really. I think we are talking about immigrants coming to the U.S. and stealing American jobs - whether you are not qualified, qualified or over qualified, whether your resume is outstanding or your first impression at an interview rocks - is really beside the point.

Well, the beef was that "foreign professionals were stealing jobs from "uneducated Americans"

[trailmix 77]

Well, the beef was that "foreign professionals were stealing jobs from "uneducated Americans"

Oh, well that doesn't even make sense.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Well, the beef was that "foreign professionals were stealing jobs from "uneducated Americans"

Shouldn't the uneducated people (American in this scenario) become educated and then they won't get passed over?

[Tina&Roland 4]

Oh, well that doesn't even make sense.

No it doesn't make sense at all. I'd initially stated that I came to the U.S. legally (married an American and waiting for a green card, etc.) and someone else sent back a message that coming here legally doesn't make it moral (that morally and legally are two different things in the U.S.).

I really don't know what's wrong with these people.

[Married2009 32]

And yet Canadians and Americans go and work all over the world and never bother to learn the language of the country they are living in - and it doesn't seem to be a big deal. Maybe it's arrogant for us as (predominantly) English speakers to expect them to have perfect or near perfect English.

Um, I would hope that if I went to work in a non english speaking country, I would learn at least some of the language before I got a job working with the public - that's all I meant to imply. I wasn't trying to be arrogant, and if that is the way it sounded, I apologize, that was not my intent.

[MtlMama 0]

Um, I would hope that if I went to work in a non english speaking country, I would learn at least some of the language before I got a job working with the public - that's all I meant to imply. I wasn't trying to be arrogant, and if that is the way it sounded, I apologize, that was not my intent.

I became fluent in French, better spoken-French than many anglophone Canadians!

[trailmix 77]

Um, I would hope that if I went to work in a non english speaking country, I would learn at least some of the language before I got a job working with the public - that's all I meant to imply. I wasn't trying to be arrogant, and if that is the way it sounded, I apologize, that was not my intent.

And I wasn't saying you are arrogant...just want to clarify

Many many countries have English as a predominant language, even if it is not the primary language of the country - that's all I meant, that maybe our outlook is too narrow.

Now i'm not ms. polly pure - I will admit that many times I have felt I am banging my head against a wall trying to convey something to someone who can not speak English very well (in Canada I mean) - or when being transferred to a call center in a foreign country. However, the onus is on the employer to employ people with a certain level of proficiency in the language to communicate with the customers, if I am still going to use their service or business, then it is up to me to let them know if i'm getting good customer service. Whether that is the language of the employee, the attitude, the knowledge - whatever, one is really not more annoying to me than the other.

Specifying language singles out immigrants, in general - it's not really fair when you think about it.