Luckily my company is operated out of an EU country as the headquarters but I still work in the USA.
While we work longer hours, I am grateful for flexibility and wfh. Ive never been denied FTO request in 14 years. 5 paid sick days but if you have to go over, its likely going to be ok.
We get employee stock purchase program, 401k match and a yearly bonus based on company performance (have never not gotten it in 14 years).
I remember when my dad died and despite us having a bereavement policy, my manager told me to take as much time as I needed and to come back when I was ready. I had two weeks off paid and never used a single hour of FTO. They welcomed me back and showed great care and sympathy for my loss. No questions asked.
I am jealous of how many mid year holidays the folks in the EU get and their Friday schedule. We do work weekends though regardless of which country you work out of. Just some folks will get paid OT for it unlike us salaried folks.
But you know, If I have to run to a Dr appt in the middle of the day or take my cat to the vet, I have that flexibility and nobody dares challenge it. We advertise it as a benefit and its truly embraced. Its made a lot of very happy loyal employees who are willing to do extra because they are treated like humans.
I know like 4 folks who leave at the same time every day to pick kids up from day care or school, come back and finish their job or make up the time and its perfectly fine.
If I worked out of the EU with a EU based company (lets say a different company because ultimately it wouldnt change much as this is how we operate regardless of location), how different would it be?
60 hour weeks are not normal but I would say 45-50 are. I tend to start at 8 am and try to leave at 4pm if I skip my lunch all day which is sometimes necessary. Often though that just means I work to 5-6pm. Probably several weekends a month (1-2 depending).
