Karina Komissarchik: compare how to work in Belarus and America

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Карина Комиссарчик: сравниваем, как работают в Беларуси и Америке

Karina Komissarchik — emigrated from Belarus to the United States almost two years ago. Trying to learn more about the country, where to live in the future, so has already visited 25 States. Happy to talk to Americans about where Belarus is situated.

I will not write a long introduction and go straight to the point: frankly, only in the USA I found out what it really means to work hard. Not because I was too lazy in Belarus, not because there are immigrants forced to work for three. Just in the US, a cult of work. The principle of enrichment is perceived is very simple: in order to earn a lot, takes a lot of and work effectively. Apply this formula to the entire country and you will learn the secret of a successful economy.

Wages here are generally hourly. When you come to any workplace, be it office, restaurant or workshop, you are asked each time to be celebrated in a special program and specify what time you came-left. At first I was irritated, then angry, now I understand why this is necessary. Was 15 minutes late this morning? Lingered a bit at lunch? Left half an hour earlier? No you will not say a word, just taken out of my salary, your hours, and it is, for example, costs $20. But if so every day, that’s $100 a week or $400-450 per month. And this, for example, an amount of the payoff on your loan for the car. How you like them apples?

Once again remember your work in the sewing room Bridal salon. My Manager at the peak of the season spent at work 12 hours a day with a ten minute break for snacks. All consultants and seamstresses are also very often stayed late. In the heaviest period I spent in the Studio for 9-10 hours a day. Of course, we paid for those hours, and then raised the fee for them. So capitalism works and will still work in Belarus: show your interest be helpful to us, and she will notice it. Many businessmen from the USA told me: the willingness of staff to work harder understanding of what to adapt to the customer, or the calm acceptance of the fact that the need to work until one o’clock, — the main reason for the recruitment for a permanent job, promotion or raise.

In Belarus many people do not have the slightest idea what a lot of hard work. We are talking about half of office workers, people who service the workspace — something like the secretaries, or as they are now fashionable to call? Office managers? Here are all “salespeople” sitting on “cold” calls, some creative professions and all those, without which any enterprise will manage easily if there is a question about reductions.

It is about you? I’ll tell you why you have so small salary, why you are unlikely to earn more and certainly won’t live as good as many people live in the United States.

You come to work a little after nine in the morning. Slowly go for coffee, and maybe even make your own Breakfast. Decide on the way back to his Desk to talk with a couple of colleagues about something unimportant. Next, you need to check your emails, instant messengers, make photo stories, proving that you started the day. And look, soon time for lunch. Well, what if instead of hours you did not have 15 minutes more? Here you can already work a few hours, and leave a little before six, because no one will notice.

We have few who knows how much of his time. Rare employer realizes how much he loses when employees are late all the time or allow myself to leave early. It turns out that of the eight hours many are engaged in business only four hours. People who can afford to work in such a relaxed mode more often than not play a big role, and this means that their salary is unlikely to grow. And you wonder why you make less than $500-600 a month? Try to work a little more, maybe the salary will grow, and if will not grow, then change place, not a baller every Friday in a bar on Zybitskaya how unfair the world is.

Let us also remember my favorite one is about holidays and sick days. In Belarus is bound to have the dinner hour, 21 days of paid vacation, sick days if you submit a certificate, three years of maternity leave. In the United States on average, you can qualify for a 10 days vacation per year, and not every company is willing to pay for it. A month after the baby is born, you are already waiting back at the workplace, if you need it. Cheer, of course, possible, but highly undesirable, and you transparent this hint.

I’m not talking about such things as December 31. Most companies is working day. Private companies have every right not to do the output in some holidays. Not all, but many Americans are trained from childhood to work hard and a lot. In the country of capitalism the only way to ensure a decent life. No one will come and nothing will just.

The difference of mentality is very clearly read, when you watch the “newcomers” to America from Belarus. Immigrants who in the homeland are not accustomed to work hard, and in a new country will not be much bother. They do not understand and do not accept new rules of the game, so always try to fake it. Longer lunch, come back, and then scandals in the office of the chief, because they believe that they have underpaid. Many people in Belarus were so spoiled hothouse conditions that are horrified when they are asked to stay for a while at work. Such immigrants are often stuck on a very average salary and, most likely, will never be able to earn more.

Fortunately, the human brain is flexible and able to adapt to new circumstances. Most newcomers quickly join the new system and, not sparing themselves, often working after a conditional six in the evening and even on weekends. And believe me, the bonuses and increases do not keep itself waiting long. I have a friend who is often found in the office at the workplace, on the clock nine PM. Sometimes they go missing there all weekend. Once I asked them is it worth it? Coming back they? And if at the beginning of their professional career in the States they doubted the answer, now slyly smile, knowing that awards and titles nearly in the bag.

Карина Комиссарчик: сравниваем, как работают в Беларуси и Америке

Still to find out who in the company is really interested in its success, enough to come to the office half an hour before the officially stipulated time. Those who are already in place are the backbone of the company. Checked (not only me) many times.

Of course, the desire to earn more and faster to get an interesting job you need to be able to stop and take a break. Burnout has never made anyone good. In the States, certainly not in Japan: no one dies at your Desk, but still, people are noticeably overworked.

By the way, there is a certain layer of people in Belarus, who have long accustomed themselves to the capitalist way of life. Mostly businessmen and entrepreneurs. I know plenty of members of small and medium business in the capital and in the provinces of Belarus. Regardless of gender, age and nature of the business, they share one thing — the desire to work more and better. They know that if you want something done right, do it yourself. They do not consider how many hours worked, they have no problems that would not part of their job. They answer calls even late in the evening, and always checking my email, if not sleeping. And you know, they have quite a good life, pretty good home away from home and they do not live from paycheck to paycheck.

I want to remind you that we’re not talking here about people who work in factories, educational institutions, in the field of medicine, law enforcement, fire stations and emergency situations. First, because I’m talking about these areas don’t know anything, and secondly, all these jobs cause I have a feeling of the deepest respect. It is only about those who complains a lot, but not ready to move.

We so much criticize America often say that our country is incorrect to compare accused some politicians complain about the historical past and war. Most importantly, I am living in America: improving the lives does not begin with a change of residence, political system, economic situation, moving to a new continent. It all starts with work.

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