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General discussion (archive)Thinking about going to work in the UK(60 posts)(60 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: I will not drive in Poland. Never. No way in HELL. Not in Warsaw anyways. They seem to learn the Colonel Kaddafi way of driving: Kill everything in your path. Your horn is to be used as a communications tool to inform other drivers how much you hate them and their mothers. Grenades in the glove box are MANDATORY. Roof top mounted machine guns, you guessed it, MANDATORY. The only use I'll have of a driver's license is to test drive vehicles after repairs. I will not own a car here because of the periodic inspections, taxes, more taxes, and the high gas/petrol prices.

I don't know how those Poles leaving the UK expect to find a higher paying job here since those who have a university education, know a couple of languages pretty well can't find a job here and they've been trying for months, even years. Let's not even talk about the three different kind of job contracts and only ONE of them guarantees you the right to have some vacation time and that the time you spend at a company will count towards your "working years"(lata pracy). The other 2 contracts are shit and everyone knows it including employers who hold out the ONE good contract as bait.
Unfortunately drivers here are far less violent. This means there is noticeably less work in the vehicle repair sector. We tend to import less armour upgrades and spiked bumpers are actually illegal here. Most of the work will be from people who know they need an oil change and could do it themselves, but simply feel too middle class to actually do so. Your overtime might not be as great as advertised as a result.

However, the other problems such as high taxes and fuel are very much the same here. Maybe more so at the moment, I don't know. Petrol was bloody expensive here anyway. Even when the US was complaining about their gas prices they were still only a small fraction of ours.

As for Poles leaving the UK, it's somewhat surprising, but not so much when you consider the unemployment rates. From what I've gathered the main reason Poles are able to take our jawbs is because they're willing to work stupendously long hours in the kinds of jobs most people here wouldn't consider doing even if the hours were more reasonable. I doubt that's in any one way universally true. But it does seem to be how many have stuck it out while others thought it better to just leave.

Why anyone would want to work hellishly long hours anywhere is beyond me. But like I said it's in no way a universal truth. Most immigrants seem to work normal jobs with normal hours. Well, that is if they're not unemployed.

My best advice would be to try and get something lined up first. The job market isn't strong enough to be able to take a chance on it.
Posted March 20, 2011
I feel the UK is getting a bad deal from this thread. It's really not as bad as some people are making out. There is high unemployment at the moment, but that's the case globally and skilled workers are a very different issue. I work as a software developer, and we have trouble recruiting the skills we need.

I agree with Navagon though that you should definitely get the job before moving. Just get ready to move fast, when people give you a job here they expect you to start ASAP (I had to move house to 200 miles away in 2 weeks when I got my last job, but that was mostly my fault). I would also advise that you avoid London, if not because of other reasons below, because it's vastly more expensive.

There are a vocal minority of daily mail readers, you will be able to recognise them by their inability to close their mouths. They will go on about "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs" while also complaining about "those foreigners all coming here to claim unemployment benefits" in the same breath, without any comprehension of the irony of it all. These people are mocked in Britain, they don't know they're being mocked, and / because, the papers aren't willing to tell them, but they really are a minority.

Something I have observed from many people from the eastern block countries (I don't know if you count Poland as eastern block, but I'm generalising geographically rather than by border), is that they have a hard time adjusting culturally to the UK. As a programmer I routinely see the "bright idea" that now is the time to start outsourcing. This goes through the cycle of "send product spec to india", "see product fail", "recruit from poorer EU countries", "see recruits go home". Everyone of them says that they prefer it back home even if the work is worse. I don't think it's a bad report on the UK, or a good one on their home, just a statement that the culture is very different.

Anyway personally I think you should try it. There are a lot of very good aspects to the UK that are taken for granted by its citizens, and I think it would be a good thing for you to experience. The worst thing to do would be to be left with a what if...

<rant about london>
Why should you avoid london? It's a hell hole. It does not represent England or Britain despite containing about 1/5th of our population. There is a very cold and "plastic" atmosphere to london that you won't find in the rest of the UK. People are all trying to get somewhere or get something done without any concern for you. Politeness and communty spirit are dead in the area. I had to work in london city centre for 4 months, and it made me determined to not have to work there again. Unfortunately it's not something I will be able to avoid.
</rant>
Posted March 20, 2011
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wpegg: I feel the UK is getting a bad deal from this thread. It's really not as bad as some people are making out. There is high unemployment at the moment, but that's the case globally and skilled workers are a very different issue. I work as a software developer, and we have trouble recruiting the skills we need.

I agree with Navagon though that you should definitely get the job before moving. Just get ready to move fast, when people give you a job here they expect you to start ASAP (I had to move house to 200 miles away in 2 weeks when I got my last job, but that was mostly my fault). I would also advise that you avoid London, if not because of other reasons below, because it's vastly more expensive.

There are a vocal minority of daily mail readers, you will be able to recognise them by their inability to close their mouths. They will go on about "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs" while also complaining about "those foreigners all coming here to claim unemployment benefits" in the same breath, without any comprehension of the irony of it all. These people are mocked in Britain, they don't know they're being mocked, and / because, the papers aren't willing to tell them, but they really are a minority.

Something I have observed from many people from the eastern block countries (I don't know if you count Poland as eastern block, but I'm generalising geographically rather than by border), is that they have a hard time adjusting culturally to the UK. As a programmer I routinely see the "bright idea" that now is the time to start outsourcing. This goes through the cycle of "send product spec to india", "see product fail", "recruit from poorer EU countries", "see recruits go home". Everyone of them says that they prefer it back home even if the work is worse. I don't think it's a bad report on the UK, or a good one on their home, just a statement that the culture is very different.

Anyway personally I think you should try it. There are a lot of very good aspects to the UK that are taken for granted by its citizens, and I think it would be a good thing for you to experience. The worst thing to do would be to be left with a what if...

<rant about london>
Why should you avoid london? It's a hell hole. It does not represent England or Britain despite containing about 1/5th of our population. There is a very cold and "plastic" atmosphere to london that you won't find in the rest of the UK. People are all trying to get somewhere or get something done without any concern for you. Politeness and communty spirit are dead in the area. I had to work in london city centre for 4 months, and it made me determined to not have to work there again. Unfortunately it's not something I will be able to avoid.
</rant>
Warsaw is the same way!! It's like they are sister cities or something.

Got any tips on any decent cities to work in? I don't know much about the UK and which cities are awesome and which are hellholes( I have heard that Birmingham is a factory town and that it's a blight on the face of the Earth...)

I lived in the South (US South) and the Daily Mail types exist there too so those type of people are not a problem for me, per se. We call them "rednecks"
Posted March 20, 2011

Warsaw is the same way!! It's like they are sister cities or something.

Got any tips on any decent cities to work in? I don't know much about the UK and which cities are awesome and which are hellholes( I have heard that Birmingham is a factory town and that it's a blight on the face of the Earth...)

I lived in the South (US South) and the Daily Mail types exist there too so those type of people are not a problem for me, per se. We call them "rednecks"
My own very biased opinion:

York is the most beautiful and friendly city I have encountered.

Cambridge is where I am now, it's nice a lot more multicultural than York, which may help you to settle in. It's also a very friendly place.

The North East of England (Newcastle, Middlesborough, Sunderland) are quite hard places. I didn't like them, you have to be quite confident, and quite tough to settle in there.

I've also never heard a good word about Birmingham.

The bigger cities in the north such as Manchester, Nottingham, and Liverpool are liked by those that grew up in them, or perhaps went to university there, but tend to be difficult for new people, and have quite high crime.

The southern cities like Brighton, are quite popular, though once again they are more expensive. The north of England has a much lower cost of living, but less jobs.

As for the west, I've heard that Bath is a nice place. I didn't like Reading or Slough, Oxford was quite nice though.

A lot of people tell me that Edinbrugh is a really nice city. I have a few friends that work there, and say it's completely opposite to London.

So, that should have pissed off just about every UK gog user. My final word, I would advise the North of England if you can get a job there. I miss it.
Posted March 20, 2011
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wpegg: I feel the UK is getting a bad deal from this thread. It's really not as bad as some people are making out. There is high unemployment at the moment, but that's the case globally and skilled workers are a very different issue. I work as a software developer, and we have trouble recruiting the skills we need.

I agree with Navagon though that you should definitely get the job before moving. Just get ready to move fast, when people give you a job here they expect you to start ASAP (I had to move house to 200 miles away in 2 weeks when I got my last job, but that was mostly my fault). I would also advise that you avoid London, if not because of other reasons below, because it's vastly more expensive.

There are a vocal minority of daily mail readers, you will be able to recognise them by their inability to close their mouths. They will go on about "those foreigners coming over here and stealing our jobs" while also complaining about "those foreigners all coming here to claim unemployment benefits" in the same breath, without any comprehension of the irony of it all. These people are mocked in Britain, they don't know they're being mocked, and / because, the papers aren't willing to tell them, but they really are a minority.

Something I have observed from many people from the eastern block countries (I don't know if you count Poland as eastern block, but I'm generalising geographically rather than by border), is that they have a hard time adjusting culturally to the UK. As a programmer I routinely see the "bright idea" that now is the time to start outsourcing. This goes through the cycle of "send product spec to india", "see product fail", "recruit from poorer EU countries", "see recruits go home". Everyone of them says that they prefer it back home even if the work is worse. I don't think it's a bad report on the UK, or a good one on their home, just a statement that the culture is very different.

Anyway personally I think you should try it. There are a lot of very good aspects to the UK that are taken for granted by its citizens, and I think it would be a good thing for you to experience. The worst thing to do would be to be left with a what if...

<rant about london>
Why should you avoid london? It's a hell hole. It does not represent England or Britain despite containing about 1/5th of our population. There is a very cold and "plastic" atmosphere to london that you won't find in the rest of the UK. People are all trying to get somewhere or get something done without any concern for you. Politeness and communty spirit are dead in the area. I had to work in london city centre for 4 months, and it made me determined to not have to work there again. Unfortunately it's not something I will be able to avoid.
</rant>
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JudasIscariot: ( I have heard that Birmingham is a factory town and that it's a blight on the face of the Earth...)
Thanks. Nice to know you have such a high and informed opinion of my birthplace. Do you read the Daily Mail by any chance?
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: ( I have heard that Birmingham is a factory town and that it's a blight on the face of the Earth...)
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robobrien: Thanks. Nice to know you have such a high and informed opinion of my birthplace. Do you read the Daily Mail by any chance?
It is informed. He's heard it.
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: I was looking at one job posting that offered 8-11 GBP per hour plus "lots of OT", after calculating that per 40 hours I would earn 320-440 GBP per week gross pay, 1280-1760 GBP per month gross. Is it possible to live in the UK with these kind of wages?
Remember, you have to take Income Tax and National Insurance into account, so that's not the figure you're going to take home each month!
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JudasIscariot: Why are Polish nationals required to register in the Worker Registration Scheme?
In the past, a lot of people from certain countries (Poland included) have moved to the UK and just claimed benefits (i.e. costing the British tax payer money) - the Worker Registration scheme is used to prove that you're working and benefiting the country (i.e. paying taxes). Once you have worked in the UK for 12 months, you become exempt from the scheme.
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JudasIscariot: How does the average UK citizen view a Polish national?
There is a small minority that take the 'stealing my job' attitude, but generally Poles are made to feel very welcome - many tend to take the jobs that British people don't want anyway!

The security guard for our office is Polish; I'll ask him what it was like for him moving to and taking work in the UK.
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JudasIscariot: How high is the unemployment rate in the UK
It's about to get a whole lot worse. Under the previous Government, the National debt rose quite dramatically and the new Government have decided to make a lot of cut-backs in a short space of time.

The Civil Service in the UK are about to hand redundancies to thousands of staff in England, some of whom may choose to look for work in the same sector that you're interested in.
Posted March 20, 2011
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wpegg: <rant about london>
Why should you avoid london? It's a hell hole. It does not represent England or Britain despite containing about 1/5th of our population. There is a very cold and "plastic" atmosphere to london that you won't find in the rest of the UK. People are all trying to get somewhere or get something done without any concern for you. Politeness and communty spirit are dead in the area. I had to work in london city centre for 4 months, and it made me determined to not have to work there again. Unfortunately it's not something I will be able to avoid.
</rant>
:] I agree loads with your post wpegg - despite what I said above. I AM an immigrant (originally from Germany, but lived in Belgium then Sweden before coming here) - and I am hell bent on trying to stay in Liverpool if I can. I love this place, love the people here, the general atmosphere. It'd be easier to find work in Germany right now - but I never really felt at home in the German society, personally (no disrespect meant - we are all different). I liked Belgium, loved Sweden, but really fell for this part of the world eventually.

So yes, the UK HAS a lot going for it.
Post edited March 20, 2011 by Mnemon
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: ( I have heard that Birmingham is a factory town and that it's a blight on the face of the Earth...)
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robobrien: Thanks. Nice to know you have such a high and informed opinion of my birthplace. Do you read the Daily Mail by any chance?
Like I said I heard about it being that way, it does not mean I actually have empirical evidence to support the statement or that I support that view. I apologise if offended you but it wasn't my intent.
Posted March 20, 2011
I'd happily recommend the north of England.

I work in Newcastle at the moment, and find it's pretty good, large enough to have plenty of variety but not too big.

As with all places, you get your good areas and bad areas, good people and bad people. Generally I'd suggest people are quite friendly around here, just have to avoid the arseholes.

Don't know much about the south, but Scotland and Wales are nice places.

No idea what job availability is like around here though, I know we're making cuts though to try and avoid job cuts. I feel generally secure in my job at the moment, but who knows what will happen?
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: I was looking at one job posting that offered 8-11 GBP per hour plus "lots of OT", after calculating that per 40 hours I would earn 320-440 GBP per week gross pay, 1280-1760 GBP per month gross. Is it possible to live in the UK with these kind of wages?
Couldn't tell you about tax, but you'd survive on that.
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JudasIscariot: How does the average UK citizen view a Polish national?
"Another Polish bus driver..."

I don't think you'll have this problem. I've heard your accent and I don't think it's obvious that you're Polish. If I was speaking to you face to face without knowing you beforehand, you'd have to tell me.
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JudasIscariot: How high is the unemployment rate in the UK?
7.8% as of November 2010, according to Google's aggregation of international statistics.

If you want to get into the UK, hurry up. The Government are introducing much tighter immigration controls soon, but are taking along time getting to it. The sooner, the better.
Posted March 20, 2011
If im being honest ive seen Polish people get treated pretty poorly in England (seen it happen too often) I dont know about Wales and Ireland.

Property is cheaper in Wales and Scotland than it is in England.

I know a few Polish people near me, Theres actually 2 in the Village I live that moved here from a fairly good area of Manchester, they were forced out by the locals with petrol through the letter box.

If I were you I would try to come to Scotland, it may not be as exciting as Englands big cities but it tends to be more welcoming.

The downside to that is wages are lower, for a fitter/mechanic around £1100-£1300 per month for a 40 hrs week and depending on taxes you'd probably see about 65-70% of that total. still a perfectly livable wage, My brother and his partner get a combined income after tax of around £800 per month (both part time workers) and manage easily.

The other issue is that it may be harder to find work in Scotland, your best bet is to get set up with a bigger company or a dealership (Kwik-fit ect) the work loads high and they start you with the little shitty fiddly jobs but if you prove yourself you can soon move on to the more fun stuff.

Paper work... pfft, havent got a clue.

One other thing I will say, Ive worked with about a dozen Polish nationals in the last 5 years and every one of them said they wanted to return to Poland at 1 stage, it isnt easy to jump ship like that.
Posted March 20, 2011

I know a few Polish people near me, Theres actually 2 in the Village I live that moved here from a fairly good area of Manchester, they were forced out by the locals with petrol through the letter box.
That is bad. Why weren't the police called? It seems to me that if we stand by and say, "that is bad", it will keep happening. If that happens near me, then I will find out who did it and have them arrested.

One other thing I will say, Ive worked with about a dozen Polish nationals in the last 5 years and every one of them said they wanted to return to Poland at 1 stage, it isnt easy to jump ship like that.
Yes, I have also observed this.
Posted March 20, 2011
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reaver894: One other thing I will say, Ive worked with about a dozen Polish nationals in the last 5 years and every one of them said they wanted to return to Poland at 1 stage, it isnt easy to jump ship like that.
Why did they want to move back? Because from what I have seen and read in the papers people are looking to GTFO of here because there appear to be no opportunities for them. And the low wages.
Posted March 20, 2011
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JudasIscariot: snip
From what I understand its because even though all the Polish people I know work thier ass's off and do a bloody good job, they still feel like they're not made to feel a part of the community, usually do to lingual difficulties which you shouldnt have. the two in Auchtermuchty where I live used to attend ESOL classes at the community centre and for a long time no-one except the class leader even spoke to them because of this, I tried to a few time but thier english wasnt at a stage where I could have a conversation with the and I dont speak Polish so it was hard but they seemed happy that at least I tried, now theyre both fully english speaking and getting on a lot better. (Its funny the class leader was American with a really strong accent and they speak with a bit of an American accent broken in with Fifer speak theyve picked up around the area and occasionally a bit of glaswegian comes out due to thier neighbor.)
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Thinking about going to work in the UK(60 posts)(60 posts)
(60 posts)