How Working in Iceland is Different from the U.S. - Sharing the Good & the Bad I've Experienced
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Working in Iceland is different than working in the United States. In this video, I share the pros and cons from my personal experience. I did my best to share as much insight as I could, so I'd appreciate it if you give this video a thumbs up if you found it helpful.
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At the university I worked at in Saudi Arabia my Jordanian friend gave birth, took a few days off then brought her baby to work. Not only did she nurse the baby at work but when she was teaching the other lecturers watched the baby. It made the atmosphere quite lovely.
Here in Norway, you get a year off work with full pay when you have a child (well, the dad has to take some of the leave).
@@lottatroublemaker6130 Fantastic!
J Westfall Davis - Yes, this and many other perks for parents and children are part of our welfare state. We do pay some taxes here, but we get a lot of help when we get children, if we get sick etc etc. and it doesn’t matter if you’re rich or not so rich, the rights are the same for all (except for some things like additional pension which depends on working and paying into the state and added pension plans). People don’t get homeless because they got seriously ill or had an accident here. Doesn’t happen! I like this system, don’t get why Americans are so scared! ☺️
@@lottatroublemaker6130 I do not get it either!
That's insane, she should have did that stuff at home, gross!!!
I am American, and have never worked for a single employer that I felt genuinely cared about my well being... I have never had a job where I felt like anything other than an expendable number... I have never had a job where I was not chastised for trying to make things better... I have never had a job where I felt that I mattered in any way. Doing my best to go the self employed route, and finally feel like what I do matters.
I hear you . You are not alone . I feel the exact same way. Alot of Americans do. This Country America is not a Country anymore it's a Giant Corporation . I feel used like a dishrag. I'm now unemployed to and all these idiots can do is piss on trees instead of helping us. I'm stressed beyond belief. Just know your not alone 🙂💜
@@Shay-nu7id There's a reason the president is called the "Chief Executive" ;-)
@@RraMakutsi Oh Wow...I've lived here my whole life and just noticed that. Damn. Its like being in the Wizard Of Oz and seeing behind the curtain.
I am SO sorry, the lack of protection of workers in the US sucks. I have been shocked hearing many stories from there... You would have been shocked over the difference, had you started working here in Norway. Workers rights are strong here, so are unions. I have never felt like that here...
@@lottatroublemaker6130 I could tell you horror storys of working in the United States. Seriously. I have been through hell. Not only that but most of us live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford Medical Insurance at all. Even if you pay for Medical Insurance one illness or injury can Bankrupt you. Its a nightmare.
This is why we are so stressed out in the US. Nope can’t try to take that much time off, unless you are sick and have some type of surgery. In reality not being able to disconnect it makes us unproductive.
Agreed. It’s counterproductive to have stressed out workers.
I worked for the government in the USA. I had surgery but I was threatened my job because I used up sick and personal days which for me was about 2 and a half weeks. The stress of not “allowed “ to be sick for the rest of the year or taking off for a god forbid funeral was making me sicker. The higher up you go these rules don’t apply. Imagine having people who only work half a year telling you you can not afford another day off. I left that employment not long after. I mourn the health benefits though. Even though everyone should have those benefits regardless. Hate this place now after 53 years. Hate it. Sorry to sound bitter. 😬 thank you for listening 😂
@@TracyD2 I´m sorry Tracy and it is so unfair that you had to experience that. I agree that everyone should have great healthcare.
Don't forget the inevitable bankruptcy if you do actually get sick here...
M D There were times when I had bad colds and not only was I too sick to be at work, but I was contagious and should not have been prepping people’s food and drink. But, my employer didn’t care!
This video is making me reflect on how archaic American employment is lol
I know we are a Giant Corporation now . Not a Country.
😁😁
Agree, the mentality that life revolves around work has to change
I would like to see you cook some Icelandic food in a video.
i’ve tried icelandic food, no you wouldn’t
@@CameronGuarino LOL ..I read this and thought, isnt most of Icelandic food, raw, uncooked or fermented?
Yeah, Icelandic breakfast must be super good!
I don't know why RUclips recommended you, but I'm so glad! You have such an engaging personality and I just think you are so brave! I've lived in my hometown my whole life (36 yrs) and I think it takes a lot of guts to adapt to an entirely different way of life. Subscribed!
You don’t know the guts you really have until you put them to the test ;)
Icelander here.
1. When it comes to sick days, it is also mandatory for companies to allow people to get sick days for themselves and for their kids.
2. Unions are mandatory, (it's set up that way so employers can't bully people into not go into a union).
Unions are not always mandatory, i.e. there are instances were the employee can choose not to pay to Unions. But in those instances, if he wants to pay to Unions, the employer can't say no to that request.
same here in Denmark
What an amazing Culture! I have never been out of the United States and I'm jealous. Iceland has the right idea.
Shay in NY many companies are transitioning to unlimited days off 😁 I’m against unions, but I guess it depends the sector you’re in
It’s not the same in every state, more progressive is your state more an employer offers 😁
@@luciemedici True! 😂😂! I live in South Florida. Nightmare. No such thing as progressive here. This the Land Time Forgot.
this was very interesting. it's sad that we would turn most of those points of what seems to make for a healthy working environment into a massive battle of politics in the States.
Agreed. It really shouldn't be so difficult for companies in the U.S. to do some things similarly to the way they are done in Iceland.
Its called Ego. Its the problem in the States . Who has the biggest $#@$.
@@Shay-nu7id i think there is an element of SPITE at work too. just look at the current state of American culture and politics. the biggest objective for some seems to be finding every possible way to "piss off" the social/cultural other. they have abandoned basic common sense in favor of sheer unbridled SPITE.
@@n.ayisha Completely agree. The American work environment is just nasty. I was in Management before laid off( Covid) . I was told I was "to nice". I was told to fire a Mother with a 1yr old in Critical Condition at Children's Hospital " because she was not productive enough". I'm telling you America has got a bad case if the Nastys. To say the least. I refused to fire her. They looked at me like I was insane. Im disgusted with working in this Country.
Shay I agree with you. My director would not promote my manager because she said she was too nice.
I guess Iceland has a system very much like Sweden. When our kids get sick here, we can stay att home. And when we log it with payroll we call it: Vård av sjukt barn. shortened to VAB. The government steps in and pays a part of your salary that day.
This i such a big part of our working culture that the month of February is called VAB-ruari. Because thats the month when everyone has the sniffles.
Oh, that's fascinating. VAB-ruari is pretty funny. Thanks for sharing.
In Iceland the government does not pay part oft the salary for sick days (because of your sickness or your child) except of course if you are working for the government (get your salary from the government). The company pays and how many sick-days you have the right to (paid sick-days) are decided in the wage contract between your union and the relevant business association, But it is still very similar everywhere. Of course if you get very sick and run out of sick-day other rules apply.
The U.S. would never. So sad for us
I wonder if it's relatively European thing? Its similar in Germany, where you can stay home either because you are sick or because your kid is sick. The first 3 days of you being sick, you don't even need paperwork from a doctor. And it does not count against your paid time off, it's completely separate.
American companies have retention problems. More vacation means more to people than a raise in most cases. 2 weeks a year is ridiculous.
@Mrssewhardtoplease I think she meant that there are Americans who have never traveled or only travel to tourist traps where they never interact with locals they believe the propaganda that America is the best.
Yes!!! I'd rather make less money a year if I could have unlimited PTO. I literally have unlimited PTO now as a benefit from my job and my boss doesn't want me to use it. She told me to think of the company first and my workload first lololol 😭😂
I’m a healthcare lawyer in the U.S. that advises the federal government on national health policy (think payment structure, Medicaid eligibility, Medicare drug pricing, price transparency) and the only reason I have a job is because we have no functioning healthcare system or guaranteed access to health insurance in the U.S. and we have to constantly plug all the holes like a sinking ship. My job wouldn’t exist in most European/Nordic countries and I don’t know what else I would do, so moving seems like a pipe dream!
I am an American who does not want the government controlling my healthcare. I am a typical American who is very independent. And I am not afraid to work for what I want. My family emigrated to the US in 1948 from Europe and never looked back. I work with Canadians who have horror stories about their socialized healthcare system.
Under universal Healthcare, it's namely the FUNDING for the treatment that is handled by the government, not the provision of it. Anyway, your American government does control your health insurance, seeing as they REFUSE to allow for guaranteed medical treatment whether people want that or not!!
@@carolradovich7906 your feedback is a great example of how the USA people have been conned into believing myths which are clearly not serving their or their country's best interests. Only the corporations and the politicians they support do well out of the clearly broken health system in the USA. And you actually rejoice in the fact that many can't afford good health and many suffer bankruptcy.
Very few (if any) people are unhappy with the access to free healthcare in our countries. Things aren't perfect, there are waiting lists for non critical surgery but no one is ever turned away from a hospital if they need urgent care. And they never leave with a bill.
I find your comments ill informed and utterly heartless. I and most human beings would only wish the best for others. We are not so selfish as to only care about ourselves and think it's only our own personal situation that matters.
@@maxineamon Exactly! The whole culture is about making sure the right people suffer. It's despicable, especially when it would take so little to cover everyone.
@@carolradovich7906 Excuse me, but affordability of healthcare has nothing to do with how hard you work and everything to do with hospital and pharmaceutical company profiteering. We spend more on healthcare than any other nation on Earth, but have very little to show for it in terms of outcomes or life expectancy. Sensible drug price controls and a single payer system like other industrialized nations would reduce exploitation, medical bankruptcy, surprise billing, and administrative costs.
I wish I was born somewhere where people cared about each other... now my country has messed up so bad that i can't even leave it and go to a good one :-(
My "boss" has a lot of "USA" working and management experience and because he joined the company a year ago he tried to implement all of these "strategies" and "milestone management" and internal competition. Sometimes you just have to adapt to local culture ;-) :-) Accept that in other countries the goals in business might be totally different. To be clear: I am in a very profitable business :-) But sometimes enough is enough.
Oh God yuck. Thats terrible that American managment can't just stay in America
I am a new subscriber and I am finding all of this so fascinating!! Thank you for this channel!!!
Awesome! Thank you for the lovely comment and it’s my pleasure. 😊
Here in Brazil we always take a month on vacation because it is our right to always take a month, but we can sell some days or weeks of our vacation so we can get extra money, which I think is really cool and we dont need to feel guilty because of the overload of work that's been put on our coworkers, its just our right.
😳WOW, that's Wonderful!! I can only wish that that option could be Available where I live.
😳WOW, that's Wonderful!! I can only wish that that option could be Available where I live.
@@renee176 yeah, it is really interesting the ways things work here, we can even save some days to use later, For exemple: take 15 days on February and the other 15 days on July or save them and use with your next vacation so it would be the 30 days + the last 15 days remaining from the last vacation. That's how it works in my company. Of course there are some companies that don't have that, unfortunately
@@hobi7901 Awesome plan, I'm Definitely jealous! Just one last question, if its okay...Are your sick days added in with your vacation time or is that in addition to having sick leave also. Blessings to you and your family, take care and stay safe!🙂
I am a South African and we have the same laws as Brazil I see, our sick days are separate and does not get deducted from our vacation days, by law we are entitled to be sick a couple of weeks of the year but sick days cannot be accumulated or carried over to the next year
Alright, you’re making me want to move to Iceland... sick days for kids, childcare at work, 4 weeks vacation, leaving early to enjoy a beautiful day?! I worked for a company that literally punishes it’s employees for calling off when they’re sick. Why the hell can’t the US be more like Iceland? It just seems like common sense to me. What is maternity leave like there?
Yeah the winters and short days sound brutal but omg they can leave their kids outside without worrying they’ll be abducted?! They have guns that they don’t use to kill each other with?! No littering?! Fresh glacier water?! Possibly seeing Icelandic bands like Sigur Ros play?! Sounds like heaven.
New law passed recently by government to have parental leave extended to 12 months, 5 months for mother and 5 months for father and then 2 months to share for any babies born after 1 January 2020. We also have a lot of international bands, comedians etc. visiting with relatively easy access.
Christopher Eva thank you for the info. That’s amazing!
You know what sucks? People who take several days off for sick children while those of us women who do not have children have to pick up the slack. I’m thinking of having a kid to get a day off.
Always Believe I actually don’t have children, but I don’t think people should have to use all of their personal/vacation days because their kids are sick. Sick kids are unavoidable. It’s life, there should be accommodations. It’s not right, imo, to act like these things don’t happen. I’m not going to get angry at people for having children and all of the obstacles that come along with that. A lot of times when your kid gets sick, you catch it from them. Maybe you don’t have a kid but you have a sick pet or elderly parent you need to take care of. There should be days for that, imo. I get what you’re saying, but I respectfully disagree.
Always Believe agreed, if you get a sick child you should just send it to school so it could give covid to all the other children... I’m sorry but you’re not making sense and coming off as selfish
I used to travel in the US. I stopped when it became Ok to be a racist asshole. Anyway, to sum things up a man in his 50's approached me in a parking lot. He was admiring my motorcycle.He was aware that I was Canadian. We quickly got on the subject of health care and retirement. I retired after 30 years at age 49. The poor guy was in tears. His mother was in a care facility and he had no idea how he was going to pay for it and as to retirement his comment was " They work you here until you die". I'm waiting for the US to implode. I don't think it's far off. People are getting desperate.
Our seniors can't afford to retire since most companies have backed away from providing retirement funding. The domino effect is that because the seniors can't retire, it's difficult for our younger and middle aged people to access higher paying jobs. It's not unusual at all to have people working into their late 70's early 80's and beyond. A lot of seniors are too afraid to retire because of healthcare costs. Medicare only covers about 80% and in America, having to come up with the additional 20% for medications or if heaven forbid you get sick or injured, could easily bankrupt a family. I mean in a matter of a week.
@@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808 To be air the origins of most countries are pretty barbaric. Slavery wasn't exclusive to the U.S. nor was taking over native land.
Really? You think that the country will implode because some people didn’t plan for their retirement and burdened their children with their care? Honestly?
David Giles There is so much wrong with the America we see in the world today and it is getting worse . They have completely abnegated their position of respect and paternalism in the whole world ; the present leadership has exacerbated that but the rot had set in long before .
However I do feel that social media does not help when people express their views with expressions like “ racist arsehole” ; there are better and more articulate ways of expressing exactly the same sentiments .
@@carolthomas8528 I think he has expressed his view articulately. He said asshole (Canadian, American usage)...its funny that you actually wrote arsehole and then followed it with ....better usuage. LOL. Soz, just me being facetious
Iceland and your husband is lucky to have you. You are wonderful from the inside out. And I always enjoy your descriptions. You manage to give a physical as well as spiritual feel to Iceland. I'm looking forward to spending time there.
Thank you so much. ❤️
In New Zealand we get 4 weeks standard and for some top jobs it's 6 weeks. Plus we can get leave without pay if we want. And we are encouraged to take our holidays although some people save them up over a couple of years so they can do a big European holiday. I don't know why USA people put up with what looks like to me horrible work conditions. But then I think not having healthcare unless you are working has a lot to do with it. We can just quit our job and live on the holiday pay until we find the next opportunity.
I'm in the USA and work in tech. This is why we put up for it: they regularly lay off workers for the tiniest downturn in revenue growth. This culture of fear keeps us slaving away. We don’t want to lose our jobs. Even though we can find another job quickly, it's very stressful plus when it happens we lose health care for our families.
@@susanholl5994 yes, it's that lack of free health care that enslaved the people of the USA. And the corporates know it. They get cheap workers that way. Plus they get cheap prison labour by criminalising marijuana and locking people up for other minor offences.
It's not just Iceland, almost everywhere is better than America. The more you travel the more you realise that.
@r largo lol
I travel a lot. Very true. America is a wonderful place. IF YOU HAVE MONEY. Aside from that many Americans will admit that they are afraid all the time. Gun violence affects the whole country.
@r largo You are delusional, and obviously have never left the US.
More like just europe
@r largo we really are trying to scrape the bottom of some barrel aren't we? Is it that difficult to show that the USA has any positives? And I'm sure people are happier in some of those countries you mentioned. In fact it is likely you know very little about other countries in general being from the USA. But you watched this video so at least you are trying to broaden your horizons. Try not to get triggered though.
Great video! I know a lot of Americans overseas have a hard time explaining their actual experiences as they don't want to come across as rude or arrogant (which is understandable). You did a great job of being respectful of your new home while also having an open and honest discussion of what was challenging for you (and what you really enjoyed!)
Many Americans have a hard time explaining our experiences because life makes no sense here anymore, and is simply unexplainable to anyone outside of a psych ward... I'm 41, and every year of my life has been more and more like the Twilight Zone that it makes me sick. Now, we are so screwed up that every other country won't even let us in to escape the insanity we are enveloped in... weird times, indeed.
@@RraMakutsi Amen. The absolute truth . America is no longer a Country . Its a Giant Corporation. We are Slaves.
I am American from California who moved to Europe five years ago, I wish I would have left the States years ago. America is a Greedy, racist, selfish Country that do not care about anything but Money. They work you to the bone and offer you nothing, unless you make it for yourself. Europe and Scandanavian Countries has a better quality of life and better social system. I'll never live in the US again. I really enjoyed your Video about Iceland, I visited before and love it there. :)
As an Australian let me say that I'm pretty sure it's not just the Icelandic people wondering 'What The' when it comes to American politics. We have at least 4 weeks of annual leave each year, sick pay and personal leave, which covers, kids, pets, family in general. And some employers, like my husbands, nag them to take the annual leave, so it doesn't add up to a ridiculous amount. We are also entitled to 8 weeks of Long Service Leave, after 10 years of continuous employment with that employer. It's now paid pro rata after 7 years. Australians have a bit of a reputation for taking advantage of the 'Sickie', which is usually the apprentices calling in sick on a Monday morning saying they're on their death bed and usually laying on the beach mending a hangover. On a whole we are pretty lucky compared to over countries. If only we could all adopt that laid back Icelandic mentality. My daughter works for Apple here and has been paid her regular wage in full for almost 6 months. So she is happy with her American employer. It would be interesting to see how it compared in the US.. I love hearing about all your great stories.
I live in the Caribbean and most people get a month of vacation and 3 months maternity leave. I am a teacher and we get 12 weeks vacation for the year.
I live in Norway, a neighbor country to Iceland. And we have 12 days each year that you can stay home if your child gets sick/ill. That is why you have to report wether it is you or your kid that is sick. Also, we have 5 weeks mandatory vacation for all, even kindergarten kids. If you dont spend your vacation your employer have to pay you for the days you didnt spend. They rather not, though, so you have to take your vacation when you can. And if you get sick while on vacation you get those vacation days back. Because you didnt get a real vacation and the days you are sick counts as sick leave.
They work to live (and enjoy life), they don't live to work :)
Many do try to live this way. Sometimes it can be hard to balance.
I really like your Locs and makeup; happy you didn't forget your 'Roots' in a European nation!!!! You really look nice!
Gm
In many Scandinavian countries they actually have a pre school nursery in the office building.
That’s awesome
In The Giant Corporation oh I mean America....they want us to just hatch 🐣 babies stick them in some outrageously expensive dump with unqualified people to raise them while we rush back to work and slave away until we are 70. With minimal vacations and hopefully able to have Medical.
Alison Blackwell As usual, we here in America get gypped!
@@Maki-00 We really do but we are sold the idea that we have it better then everyone else in the World.
Shay Yes! The biggest lie I’ve ever been told!
Bjork brought me here :). As a fan of hers for many years, I've always wanted to learn more about the culture, thanks for sharing this!! This is so fascinating to me.
I work in the hospital and our staff room is amazing!!! It feels like home and we have a great coffee machine! We also have big monitors so we can see what´s happening to our patients vital signs wise while having our break. We should have coffee together in Reykjavik! Have a nice day!
Gm
I belong to union at AT&T. It was great. We had perks. And also job security. I also got six weeks vacation every year. A pension they paid for. Doesn’t happen anymore. I’m blessed.
Nice!
You are so cool and I totally luv your videos. And .... you make me smile when I watch because you’re always smiling and happy. 🙏🏽🤗
Thank you. I’m so glad to hear that. 😊
Fascinating subject matter! Very envious of your situation....living in the States has become very challenging and I am constantly on the lookout for a way out.....I think the timing of your move was very fortunate for you and for the time being I will have to be content with living vicariously through others who are living in more functional, enlightened places. Thanks so much for sharing!
My pleasure and thanks for watching. Yes, I was very fortunate that I moved before the 2016 election.
I recently came across your channel while researching black women who have moved out of the US. I love your point-of-view and I'm not sure I would move to Iceland but I want to visit after watching some of your videos.
Not surprisingly the working culture in Iceland - culture in general - is very similar to that in Denmark. You are very inspiring and sweet! Pity to miss the jokes in meetings, the working invirement in general same here making things so much more comforting and inspiiring. The "Bad things" you mention in work makes it even more inspiiring - I would have ALL these in my "like" section :-) I didn't find anything bad at all. (Finn/Denmark) - Have you gotten used to the food? :-) - As to Trump us Danes he makes us shrink our toes ...
You look so pretty in all your sweaters. Nice cold weather sense of fashion.
Wow! Thanks for this and although I am moving abroad (from US) I must admit I had never considered Iceland. This was quite eye opening and very tempting. Brava🙏🏿
Thank you. Where are you moving to?
Can you make a video on how you moved to Iceland and what process you went through to finalize the move. Also to like include how to get a job and like what the livable wage there etc. Like steps so I can get out of the US. Thank you.
I was wondering how small business/independent contractors would work in Iceland.
I am also curious about this and I’m looking into this. 😊
Most business are small in Iceland, Many very small and there are also many that work as independent contractors here.
YEEEES! ID LOVE A VIDEO ON HOW TO GET WORK IN ICELAND! I'm a filmmaker based in Dubai looking to move to Iceland!
Awesome!
@@AllThingsIceland
I'm thinking about even studying in Iceland as a means to move there for a while. For the moment I just can't seem to find any jobs anywhere online. Spacifically I am looking to either find full time or freelance film job.
@@mij4122 I'm not sure about the job market is here. Things have changed a lot because of COVID. You might find some helpful information on this page - work.iceland.is/
Thank you so much for this! This is gonna be emmensly useful!
Follow. MIJ - Can’t imagine that a country with a population of 364,135 at the start of this year, can have much of a market for filmmaking jobs, it must be somewhat limited (to put it nicely)... Best of luck in your search though! 😊
At my last job (U.S.) my boss used to ask us to take vacation at a “certain time”. So we can finish these work orders first. He was always anxious and became toxic to the work environment. I left after 5-6 years. I wanted to cry when I finally made that decision.
😢 sorry you had to experience that.
A lot of the points you made about the work dynamics, camaraderie, humor, and perspective on leave remind me of my time in the Navy.
Tracking goals and getting there is a problem in healthcare here in the U.S. because of conflicting outcomes; financial goals versus meeting idealistic health outcomes and the cost associated with that.
Loved the video. As an Icelander, It's really cool to see how someone from a different culture experiences living and working in Iceland.
P.S. If you haven't already, I would really recommend taking a flight to Ísafjörður if you have the opportunity. The view is great and coming in for the landing at the tiny Ísafjörður airport is exhilarating.
Thanks! 😊
I’m in Ísafjörður right now but I drove here. Hopefully, I can fly in the next time.
Wow now I feel sad because leaving work in the middle of the day is just wonderful. I live in queens, new York and I hate the fact when there is beautiful weather I'm stuck all day in an office. That's really cool that you experience this way of living. Other countries have a better work life balance, United states just don't care and you have to work always. And get frowned upon when you take a vacation or have to take a sick day.🙄
Regarding the clementine thing, it was exactly the same thing with Japanese oranges in BC Canada in my childhood. These oranges were a big treat around Christmas, the only time they were available.
Here in Australia, 4 weeks is also the minimum for most jobs, and some companies also pay you an extra 22% of your pay for your vacation, "holiday loading". You'd be surprised how many other countries besides Iceland that have wonderful perks with employment. When I lived in the US, I couldn't believe how employers would treat employees, and all the "fjandinn" an every day worker would have to put with ...
i love ur whole look today the colors look great on u
You are amazing. And an asset for Iceland. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you 😊
Re: the crude humour in the workplace - I am not surprised, since there is a phallalogical museum in Reykjavík. XD It's actually quite an interesting and fun museum! I visited in February 2016. =)
Thank you for doing this video. I am happy to see it as it's so similar. Makes a person feel not so abnormal experiencing these things.
I moved from Ireland to Germany and had such similar experiences. In Ireland it's similar work culture to the US from what I can tell from friends and having worked for US companies.. work long hours to impress the boss etc and then come to Germany and have the extra added pressure of learning German as well. It's like ... ahhh. I had burnout and ended up making some videos about some burnout hacks too because it was a culmination of cultural differences in the workplace and driving myself like we do at home. It's so insightful to see your point of view from Iceland. It's like the rest of the world outside of perhaps English speaking countries have a healthier view to work - although there are other sides to that too. I think we tend to accept working 60 hour weeks at home as the norm especially in the tech industry and when asked about why... it's like... well they provide Pizza, fruit... food... drinks - Well of course they treat you well, they're taking advantage!!!
The work enviorment sounds just incredible there. They must have figured out these things just make things go smoothly and keeps up the morale so employees want to stay and do well at their jobs.
that sweater though...gorgeous!
RUclips keeps recommended your videos to me. So I’ve been watching!
Same here! ☺️
Sounds like things are not taken for granted over in Iceland!!!!😄😄✨
I think you are very brave to move to & work in Iceland without having studied Icelandic previously. It is a very difficult language. I studied Old Norse so I found it kinda easy to read when I went to Iceland to study Modern Icelandic for a month. Except that all of my language was archaic! I had trouble with modern words! But it was extremely difficult to understand spoken Icelandic. So good on you for having the courage!
Her husband can teach her so it’s like having language tutor on demand. Not that I’m saying it will be easy. So I agree, kudos to her
I just discovered this channel and I just have to say its been eye opening and a joy. Iceland is on my bucket list but even if I never get there its just been great to have an introduction by such a dynamic ambassador!
Thank you so much. I do hope you are able to visit it one day. 😊
Could you do a video on Icelandic humor, providing examples of some of the jokes you mentioned here? I think it may prove to be an interesting and entertaining video, especially as people compare different types of humor in different countries.
I think we Icelanders are not as easily offended as Americans and the humor is often dark, sarcastic and sometimes crude. We also do have less behavior rules and often people who move to Iceland find Icelanders at first lacking in manners and not very polite. A bit barbaric. But it is not that we are trying to offend, there just are not as strict behavioral rules in Iceland than in many other countries.
Having moved to Germany last year, I can really relate to your piece on learning the Icelandic language. I barely had any German when I moved here, but part of the reason I moved here was to learn the language because my partner is German and I want to be able to have real conversations with his parents, etc. Everyone is really accommodating and speaks to me in English, but of course most things in Germany happen in German, which meant that I was always only partially aware of what was happening outside of direct conversations with me.
Doing the night course when I first moved was so exhausting for me. I just couldn't do it anymore because I just finished my PhD and am starting a new topic area for my post-doc, so I'm just really trying to get some work-life balance back. I've registered for a once-a-week class from the university that takes place over lunch, which I think will work a lot better for me. I'm disappointed my German isn't better now that I've been here for a year, but it is better than when I moved here and that's despite the huge drop in exposure due to Corona-time.
It sounds like you have taken on a lot while living there. I think it is awesome you are learning the language. It's a journey and it can be hard when you feel like you aren't where you want to be with the language but I hope you are proud of yourself for just doing it. Good luck!
Unions can be so important to treating your employees like human beings. Good on Iceland for caring. I've worked 80+ hours a week with no benefits or time off and no union to protect me from the predatory practices of my bosses. I love seeing other countries that actually value their workers and their families.
I love Iceland! It is one of my favorite countries... BTW, I was there summer of 2018!
Gm
You are so funny! I could relate to your story big time. lol. It’s much more difficult to move to Iceland w foreign language, culture. So on. I was raised in a kind of “Beverly Hills” environment as a child, pretty pampered, around kind of snooty, educated well traveled people, and low and behold, I fell in love w a huge burley farmer from Indiana! Lol.
So I went from tennis courts and spas, range rovers and rolls royces, to a tractor and mud, and field of corn, “sloppin the pigs”. Lol. With a lovely family and community of very different culture. First of all this was in the 80s, where the community had not quite accepted my partner as a gay man, and his kind of semi flamboyant, “not the most macho” partner he brought home from Southern California. I could not understand half the things people said, I had the hardest time being splashed with cow urine, and the like. But I learned to love the community and family. But my goodness, I was so freaked out at times in those early years
Love your videos. I’ve never been to Iceland but in Denmark 🇩🇰 some things are similar other different. I can relate with the experiences you have I’m Peruvian living in the USA married to New Yorker living in NC. Thank you for your time.
you are educating me, thank you so very much.
How does the work environment change as the daily hours of daylight change too?
Edit: also can't wait to see the videos about how to find work and how to move to Iceland
The work hours don't change in the winter or summer. We just work the regular 9-5. It can be quite difficult in the winter because sometimes the sun doesn't come up until 11:00 AM in Reykjavík. On the shortest day of the year in the south we only get four hours of sunlight.
@@AllThingsIceland, in my home town of Isafjordur, we do not see the sun from mid-November till January 26. The occasion is marked by a "sólarkaffi" (sun-celebration-cofffe) festival, one that is even celebrated by "deported" Isafjordians in Reykjavik each year, an excuse to get together, get plastered and reminisce about our childhood in Isfjordur. When the sun finally reaches Sólgata (Sun Alley) in Isafjordur, winter is officially receding...
In case anyone wonders why we stopped bothering with "daylight saving time" decades ago, this is why. In the summer, we have 24 hours of daylight. In winter, we have 3 hours of true daylight.
I once spent 9 months in Aberdeen, Scotland, and experienced when DST was applied and when DST was UN-applied. On both occasions, the entire soiciety had a massive hiccup! A lot of people turned up 1 hour too late when DST was applied and vice versa. This is the height of stupidity, especially in our modern times of the LED light bulb that makes energy savings completely moot!
Halfdan Ingolfsson Greetings from Aberdeen. 😂 Aberdeen is such a special case. Winter DST means everyone is grumpy till March. Hopefully no more DST soon. I love Iceland and miss it between visits.
Somehow I came back here to watch your videos. The scenery is so beautiful. I'd like to visit there someday.
Wow. I love everything you are describing. A kid's corner at work!? I would have loved that. Also more time off. The Icelander's are so much more humane.
Yea, I do think more consideration is given to the fact that people’s work and life sometimes intertwine. It’s a breath of fresh air to experience.
I laughed when you found the window with no header. We had the same thing on a double window. Builder said he was surprised it had never collapsed, only the siding was holding up the wall. I said it did a great job as it stood for over 50 years!
I'm ready to pack. Love your sweater.
hello , i love your channel ......will binge watch . how did you land in iceland . what a great experience , good on you, what is dating like . iceland sounds like a cool place to be . the quality of life there , is much higher than the u.s. thank you , for sharing ....great share..........
Please binge watch all the videos and you will understand how sweet her story is ( I just did this week).
Here in Algeria we take 60 days annually
Nice!
rimbluebooks Gosh that is sooo nice....Algeria here I come🤣
@@sharonhatzenbuehler4591 🤣 welcome
@Thordur Hogna yup not including paid national/religious holidays, election day. 3 months maternity leave (paid as well) with the mom having 2 hours off every day for 2 years so she can have time to breastfeed. They can do better on raising the Salaries a bit but it's not bad if you know how to budget. We also have free education from elementary until college and free healthcare which also can be improved of course but at least it exists
Does that include paid holidays (religious, civic) ?
I adore Iceland! I went on holiday there in 2018 and thought it was such a beautiful country with such a wonderful vibe. Since then I’ve watched a lot of video’s of people discussing aspects of Icelandic culture and so much of it resonates with me. If it weren’t for the dark winters I’d seriously consider moving there. I wish UK work culture was closer to the Icelandic model, I feel it tries to hard to be a mini US. I had a nasty cold which affected my airways, causing them to start closing up. I had been battling it throughout the night, ended up 10 minutes late for work and tried to explain it to my superior who did not care. I was then asked to serve the customers but continued to have awful coughing fits that would leave me struggling to breath. Eventually I was allowed to leave the shop floor but it got so bad they had to call an ambulance which took me to hospital where I was given a course of steroids to help open my airways. When I returned to work I was classed as having missed work and given a disciplinary meeting where they asked me to state how I would avoid such a situation in the future and was then given a warning...FOR NEARLY SUFFOCATING 😑
🤬🤬🤬🤬😲😲😲🤯🤯🤯
OMG. That is terrible!
Wow, I would really hate it if I worked hard on an approved strategy and later on it was not being followed 😭. I would find it hard to keep being productive... Good for you for changing your mind set!
Yea, it is easier to talk about way after the fact. Wasn’t easy to deal with during the time I was there.
Im from Australia and here we have like social clubs that you can enter into from a couple of dollars each week and they organize something for all the contributors and at the annual office "party" they would pay for santa and presents for the members family.
massages... in the office?!?! love it
Gm
We do have some of these benefits in California, depending on where you work. I work for a non-profit and I have 4 weeks of vacation and we also close during Xmas and New Years and we don’t have to use vacation so that’s another 2 weeks off. It can be difficult to take the time off for more than 2 weeks at a time but the President encourages us to take time off. Also the sick leave ordinance in Berkeley allows you to take time off to take care of your children or other family members ( and it is a broad definition). Also, some tech companies in the Bay Area offer benefits like free massages and free daycare and some companies have activities like hiking, kayaking, happy hours, etc. Of course, Americans do work longer hours especially at those tech companies with lots of perks.
Isn't Iceland expensive as far as buying a home, a vehicle, groceries, expenses (water, electric, etc), entertainment? Idk why YT recommended this to me but this is fascinating. Also, did you visit Iceland a lot prior to moving there?
It can be quite expensive. The water and electric are cheap because there is such an abundance of natural flowing water and geothermal energy. I visited about 5 or 6 times before moving.
Is your name spelled "Jewels"? In that case, it would be appropriate.
There are special sick days for every child you have and then for you personally. I love this video and I hope that things will become more humane in America soon.
Thanks for adding that. I hope so too. ❤️
Ummm..girl you sold me!!! I am ready to pack it up and head over. If only I could figure out how to do it with the visa issue. Is it hard for US citizens to get visa's there? I imagine much easier for EU folks? I lived in Israel for 12.5 years and have been longing to see how I can live in Europe. New subscriber and really living to hear your life experiences there.
You make really informative, good vibe videos. Also loving your look in this video. Beautiful x
Thanks!
Maybe get those translator ear pods like being in the UN. Also you are adorable. Everyone can feel that.
Very interesting :). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
My pleasure and thanks for watching.
Great video Jewels ! I am in agreement with your description of the difference in working in Iceland compared to the US. Although I have been blessed to have a good benefit package in the US . Everything else you were on point. This will be great for folks to watch if they are thinking of working in Iceland.
Thank you 😊 I’m glad that you have a great benefit package in the US.
I would give anything to be able to move out of the U.S. to a more civilized place. Here, many people have no sick days, no retirement other than social security, which pays very little after a lifetime of paying into it, and don't get me started on the lack of healthcare. The right wingers are creepy as hell in their obsession with insisting each egg/sperm union be forced to fruition, but once the baby comes through the birth canal, they don't want their tax dollars going to help feed, clothe, educate, house those "welfare brats"... Ugh... So over my own country.
I'm lucky to be in a better situation than most...so far.
I hope it gets better for everyone.
This sounds almost like where I worked at in NC. Very laid back it really surprised me. This place was a very unique place to work. I worked at this place for 27 yrs. And I completely understand coming from working in NYC. You could bring your kids in. If your child was sick or school was closed people just brought their children in. And between Christmas & New Year's the company was closed but certain depts were open, and if we had to work in those depts kids were ALWAYS there then. That was 26 yrs ago (b/c my daughter was one of the children who benefited) but things have changed at that company or people are just not having that many children anymore.
Enjoyable video, keep up the great work. 😀😎😎😁
Ísafjörður, that is around the artic circle :) really bad roads to Reykjavik last time i remembered. really cosy in the sumer time. Hygge. from Danmark
Very enjoyable and informative 👏❤
Who you are becoming? (yiu said in vid) you are becoming Icelandic. Or Íslendingur af erlendu bergi brotin ❤️🌹 you are awesome .
Would like to know the library system and the school systems.
I can totally relate to the meetings. My first meeting in Estonia ... Naw, my 47th meeting in Estonia. They've gotten used to me doing my own thing in the corner, even though now I can understand them. And I noticed the humour aspect, not even just here, but when I worked in other countries like Switzerland. I feel like Europeans are not easily offended by jokes
Really enjoying your channel! The one about learning Icelandic cracked me up --“but whyyyy?!” I am the same way w the questions. Always have been. I wonder if you have ever taken the Gretchen Rubin 4 Tendencies Quiz? I think you’re a Questioner - lol
Are you transitioning to real locs from faux locs? just genuinely curious as i am watching your Iceland videos. Very cool content by the way, you are an excellent speaker
I have locs and was looking at her hair wondering the same thing !! I watched an old video and said wait a minute 🤔😂😂😂
@@millieb710 lol right same here
Gm
At my old job here in Australia Before retirement I used to get 10 weeks leave a year plus sick leave plus long service leave, and when on leave I would get my full salary plus 17.5% leave loading. On retirement or resignation any unused leave is paid out in cash.
You get unused sick leave paid out in cash if you didn’t use/didn’t need it?
Absolutely annual leave, sick leave and long service paid out in cash on retirement or resignation.
Mark Cullenane - So you get paid for being sick, even if you haven’t been sick? That’s special, for sure! Here (Norway) we only get full pay for up to a year before we have to work at least 6 months to earn new rights to full pay for up to a year. If you are sick for more than a year, there are other benefits you can apply for, though at a lower rate (other temporary benefits or disability pension if sick long term). But we don’t get sick pay when we retire, if we haven’t been sick, we only get our pension (basic & additional pensions).
Love your channel!
Thank you!! 🤗
Civilized country, as far as workers' rights go. More Americans need to hear this, especially those who've been brainwashed to believe that they have the most "freedom" and live the best country in the world. :-)
There was an entire daycare for kids on the first floor of my office. When the pandemic started, they gave caregivers $5k towards their childcare since the office was closed.
That is awesome!
Not an expert, but do recall that historically Iceland, because of the harsh environment, had a very high infant mortality rate, so high that the population barely grew for hundreds of years. So, of course, they are going to place a high value on children.
Shouldn't that be a priority in any " developed" country?.
Wahtched your videos,but i have a great candite to help you and you for her