U.S. workplace not family-oriented

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

Many people choose work over family.

That's their problem, not mine.

[mawilson 2,133]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

Many people choose work over family.

That's their problem, not mine.

What *is* your problem? You don't like your job?

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

Many people choose work over family.

That's their problem, not mine.

What *is* your problem? You don't like your job?

i love my job, especially every two weeks

[Reba 2]

The thing is, that here in the US we do pay a lot of taxes in a lot of places and get less to show for it from the government. Back in Ontario I was paying about the same % in income tax that I am here in North Carolina (where we pay both federal and state income tax), but here in North Carolina, I have far fewer federal and state government services for my money. Not to mention, I'm not eligible for medicaid, even though I pay into it off of every paycheque. And I'm not eligible to vote because I'm not a citizen. So much for no taxation without representation.

My property taxes on my home are probably about the same as similarly sized towns/cities in Ontario, and I have fewer municipal services to show for my money. And I have to pay property tax on my dang car! Which they don't have in Canada. You pay sales tax on cars when you buy 'em, not property tax every year til it dies. What services do I have here in North Carolina to show from our wonderful government? Nothing. The roads need work, there's no public transit, I have to drive my recycling to the depot myself, and if a city water main breaks near my home, guess who is likely to end up with the bill?

In Canada, they have One Year maternity/paternity leave, paid, with a guarantee of a job waiting for them. That time can be split between mother and father however they see fit. Whether Mum stays home the whole year, or they split it 50/50 or 60/40 doesn't matter. That also goes for adoptive parents, not just biological families. They get employment insurance (unemployment) benefits. The first year of a baby's life is the most important. Here in the US an employer is only required to give a mother 6 weeks off. I know some women who wont even take that long, for fear of losing their job, or because they can't afford to pay their bills unless they're actively working. That, IMO, is very sad, and not a very good reflection on the importance of family in this country. Family values my ###. Money values here in the US, nothing else. This may be the richest country in the world, but you sure can't tell it by driving around most cities.

Here in the US I am made to feel guilty when I ask for ONE DAY off because my husband needs to have surgery. I am asked to find out from the surgeon if it can be rescheduled, because that day doesn't fit in the company's schedule. In Canada I wouldn't have had that problem, they'd say "yeah sure, best of luck, call us if you need anything". Not "no, you can't go that day, reschedule the surgery".

I don't see much Equal Opportunity Employment around here either. I've heard stories from several people who've said they were told by their bosses if anyone of a certain race/color/religion/immigrant fills out this job application, mark a B (or some other identifying mark) in the top corner so I'll know not to bother to call them. And its not just this small town either.

Anyone who believes the brochures that the roads are paved with gold and the rivers run with milk and honey are delusional. They need to read the fine print.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Work-life balance? What's that?

When you can honestly claim that you work to live rather than live to work.

Many people choose work over family.

That's their problem, not mine.

What *is* your problem? You don't like your job?

Oh, I like my job. I'd just prefer to have a bit more family time at the moment. My baby only grows up once, you know...

[mawilson 2,133]

Oh, I like my job. I'd just prefer to have a bit more family time at the moment. My baby only grows up once, you know...

[Canuck78 0]

Reba, I SOOOO agree with you!!

And you know what? I am from the Province of Quebec where we are supposedly the ones paying the highest amount in taxes in North America. But I honestly miss it. My salary was higher for one thing, but not only that, I had garanteed paid vacation, sick leave, etc. Here, if I am sick I just have to suck it up because I can't afford to go to the Doctor's and I certainly can't afford to lose a whole day's pay. I am also pregnant at the moment...which is costing me a fortune since I don't have health insurance (and can't afford it quite frankly!) and I am not eligible for Medicaid even though I pay for it on my paycheck! And when I do have this baby, I won't even have ANY paid leave! It really makes me miss home!

What baffles me is that some people will say that legislation on this subject is not fair to the business world and some companies can't afford it, etc. etc. etc. But it works very well in A LOT of countries!! When you want something to work, you will find a way to make it work. JMO