EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

tomatolord · Feb 15, 2005

Vacation is based on length of work - where I am they get 5 weeks including taking the entire month of August off. They do not care if the building they are working on needs 1 more nail, they are out the door. We get an email that says - we are ony allowed to work 10 hours a day - these were in our contracts department and we were trying to get contracts signed for $$$ We also got an email that said no more than 40hours for the week. This followed the email that said they had ANOTHER holiday schedule Followed by the fact that someone was taking a 1 year maternity leave...and since they were on maternity leave they could not be replaced so the work would be further backlogged!!! Unbelievable!!

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

I get more vacation than I need. I won't disclose how much. I've NEVER used it all, in one year. It goes away, after one year. I can't roll it over, or bank it. I work 12-16 hours/day, some days six. It all balances out to be about 12/day. As far as vacation goes, I can't seem to fit it in. My customers do not understand the word-"vacation". However I have to understand thiers. It's just not a mutual understanding. Working for a Fortune 500 company does not allow one to be-"not on call". Especially, on the service side. Next week, I'm taking Mrs. DJ on a week long cruise (first time week gone), out of country. So, in the meantime, I've built up a rock solid list of back up (counterparts) that many of my customers know. It took years to get that confidence, amongst my customers. I am so looking forward to this. In the meantime, we're moving (residences)-Fri, Sat, Sun. Feb, 18,19,20. Talk about STRESS! I need a VACATION! I have NO complaints.

Dunaruna · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Smart plan DJ, get all stressed with moving and then get all DEstressed with a cruise. I tip my hat to you

Enjoy. Aldo

NathanY · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Vacation? What is that? I can take any day off I want, or as much time as I want, but I am not going to get paid for it. I was suspose to get one week after one year, then two after two, but that was taken away when the new management was hired.

Boomyal · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Could that be one of the reasons that most of the EU is in a constant recessionary state, with unemployment rates in the double digits. We too could become the cutting edge powerhouse (not) that they are by just following their lead.

Twidget · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

My wifes female cousin works as a nanny in Germany. She got a year off for maternity leave, with pay. The people also had to hold her job for her while she was gone. That and the legislated sub 40 hour work week are head scratchers.

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Thanks Duna. It's kind of an early 25th. wedding anniversary celebration. I'm psyched. She looks better in her wedding dress today, than she did 25 years ago. Yippee!

We'll be "cruising" Southern Mexico. My spanish is a bit rough. I'd better head down to the local grocery, stand in line, and "bone" up.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

DJ, ain't you got moved yet?

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

SBN, Nope. It happens on Friday. What a weekend! Rain (what a year) predicted, in the desert. It hasn't rained in six years. Now, we need it, but it picks THIS weekend? Got the "cable guy" coming on Friday, plus the phone guy. Plus, furniture on Saturday and a new fridge. Geez, the wife had a good time, with this deal. All in all, kind of neat. We sold most of our furniture to the owners of the old house. We bought some furniture from the old owners of the new house. Got that? I don't. And! The wife bought a whole bunch more! At least the new stuff will be delivered-won't have to move it. Thank God. Anyway, bride tells me, it's going to be great. Hey, she bought the house, sight unseen to me.

I'll just "stow my gear" and head off onto the "cruise". WTHeck.! BTW, cable guy. Get "R" Done!

SpinnerBait_Nut · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Yea that there is funny.

Well, have a good time and don't worry about us, we will make it ok.

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

SBN, Thanks. The "board" will be in good hands with you and JB in charge. I think.

Thanks, for all you do-SBN. Wish me luck. Prayers accepted.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Thanks DJ and good luck. Now to get back to this thread. One having to much time on their hands is not good. When one is use to being busy all the time, it's hard on them to take off. That's the reason some, and I said some, have a hard time adjusting to retirement. It's all good for a while and then they find themselves with nothing to do.

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

SBN, I agree, wholeheartedy on your reflections of those that work too hard and die early. In my company, the average life of a retiree is six years, after retirement. I have vowed, to myself and family, that is NOT going to be me. I/we all need to pay attention to a couple of things. 1. I have never had a full physical exam. Not sure I want to. It's scheduled. Yippee! 2. Money, will not or should not be an issue, upon your death, to your children, or wife. Note: To young-un's out there. Plan now, it only takes a few bucks a month. 3. Enjoy your family. I've been Blessed. My children grew up, under my eyes, (home educated) and I got to see everything. Don't let someone else be the benefactor. Not everyone can, or can do that. Yet, enjoy every moment with your children, good and bad. Good laughs will come-later. 4. Relax. I fight with that myself. My advice; do a great job and don't stand around waiting for accolades. They will come. Don't be stressed about over those that were promoted for "unexplained" reasons. Been there, seen it, there ain't no T-Shirts. 5. Keep yourself reasonably fit and look good,.well groomed, I should say. If your boss can't put you in front of a bunch of people, he doesn't need you.

JB · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Excellent advice, DJ. I think the reason so many people used to intense jobs die so quickly after retirement is that they stop being who they have been for so many years. After 50 years, MOL, of writing and teaching along with miscellaneous adventures I retired, then nearly died several times. Taking on moderation on this site brought JB back to life and keeps me feeling useful. So let me add a rule number 6 to your excellent advice: 6. When you "retire" keep your best and most enjoyed skills busy doing something useful.

DJ · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

JB, 7. Let your retirement be a Blessing. Your retirement, Sir, has been a Blessing to "thousands". Be well, my freind.

SpinnerBait_Nut · Feb 15, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

You 2 are spot on. That is why that when I sell out next month, I'm not going to change a whole lot of what I do now. The only difference really will be not having the phone calls and drivers to worry about. That and the upkeep of the vans etc. But like most, I have seen it happen. One retires and then sits around and does nothing and just wilts away, so to speak. 2 life insurance policies on me so wife don't have to worry about anything when something happens to me, so that is something else not to worry about. But not to worry, I will still be here.(insert JB moaning

) J/K JB.

kenimpzoom · Feb 16, 2005

Re: EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

Originally posted by Boomyal: Could that be one of the reasons that most of the EU is in a constant recessionary state, with unemployment rates in the double digits. We too could become the cutting edge powerhouse (not) that they are by just following their lead.

Correct a mundo my friend. Socialism at its finest breeds this. As far as me, I could retire today and never get bored. Too many hobbies. I would probably keep doing something to make money. Build race cars, fix boats, something. Ken

EU workers man I wish I had it 1/2 as good..

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