How long does a French citizen work at one job?

[Steve Dave]

I have been reading about the protests and I see a lot of people saying that they think it is unfair to be fired after 2 years of work.

Just wondering how long the average citizens stays at one job in France?

I am open to either guesstimates or if you have hard data that would be cool too.

Thanks.

[Karl K]

The better question is what is the unemployment rate for French citizens under 25 years of age?

Pretty darn high.

And, gee, why is that? Well, work rules make it incredibly difficult to hire and and lay off workers -- and that includes less experienced, and less skilled workers in small businesses (the main creators of jobs in any dynamic economy), many of whom happen to be younger.

So, the lefty protestors in the street, who look for the state to save them from the realities of the marketplace, would rather have no job at all, than a job that, you know, they have to be successful at, and which might entail some risk of losing it for a variety of reasons.

Sorta like what happens when a young person takes a job in this country.

These demonstrations are a microcosm of why Europe is ossifying right in front of our eyes.

[Nanbawan]

T
These demonstrations are a microcosm of why Europe is ossifying right in front of our eyes.

Sit back, enjoy and STFU.

[ForeverRed]

As far as the gut of French students goes, it puts americans to shame...here in NYC conditions are becoming worse and worse and the likelyhood of a graduate to get a stable job that corelates to his or her degree are very slim. And what do they do? Hand out a couple of flyers on campus or march for a couple of blocks....which in the end accomplishes nothing.

[VFish]

As far as the gut of French students goes, it puts americans to shame...here in NYC conditions are becoming worse and worse and the likelyhood of a graduate to get a stable job that corelates to his or her degree are very slim. And what do they do? Hand out a couple of flyers on campus or march for a couple of blocks....which in the end accomplishes nothing.Huh?

Current economic conditions seem pretty good. If you can't find a job now you certainly couldn't find one when "times are lean".

I’m more interested in the original question and how French feel about their prospects.

[JBigjake]

What are these degrees? Perhaps another major would be more appropriate. Have the degrees from some NYC universities been devalued? Errors of grammar and spelling certainly do little to impress prospective employers.

More on point: http://www.optonline.net/News/Article/Feeds?CID=type%3Dxml%26channel%3D32%26article%3D17675158 "The law would allow businesses to fire young workers in the first two years on a job without giving a reason, removing them from protections that restrict layoffs of regular employees. Companies are often reluctant to add employees because it is hard to let them go if business conditions worsen. Students see a subtext in the new law: make it easier to hire and fire to help France compete in a globalizing world economy. Youth joblessness stands at 23 percent nationwide, and 50 percent among impoverished young people. The lack of work was blamed in part for the riots that shook France's depressed suburbs during the fall. ... Critics say the contract abolishes labor protections crucial to the social fabric."
Ironically: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11881566/

[DoctorD]

As far as the gut of French students goes, it puts americans to shame...here in NYC conditions are becoming worse and worse and the likelyhood of a graduate to get a stable job that corelates to his or her degree are very slim. And what do they do? Hand out a couple of flyers on campus or march for a couple of blocks....which in the end accomplishes nothing.

Offtopic, but this idea that college graduates deserve to earn more than non-college graduates is AFAIK an aspect of American society that evolved during the 60's. I remember guys who are now in their 70's talking about the days when hourly union workers made more than most college graduates.

Despite having multiple college degrees, I find this expectation rather snobbish. US society would be better off if a high school education prepared you for a good paying job, instead of this idea that more and more and more years of schooling are needed.

[Matt in the Hat]

As far as the gut of French students goes, it puts americans to shame...here in NYC conditions are becoming worse and worse and the likelyhood of a graduate to get a stable job that corelates to his or her degree are very slim. And what do they do? Hand out a couple of flyers on campus or march for a couple of blocks....which in the end accomplishes nothing.
Can you be more specific in what you are talking about? I could have any architectural graduate in NYC in a job by Tuesday. I'm sure that is not an anomoly in the city's economy.

Or are you pulling this out of your anus?

[ForeverRed]

I'm not talking purely about employment problems which are a worry but also problems like the increasing rent and tuition fees and cost of living. This may not be a NYC problem alone but I'm using it as an example since I live here. Each coming generation will find it harder to find employment after they graduate...a bachelors doesn't do it anymore in many instances and students are preasured to go for their masters. If you think things are fine and dandy then you are seriously delusional.

[Belgian guy]

These demonstrations are a microcosm of why Europe is ossifying right in front of our eyes.

Don't cream your pants Karl. And explain to me how a weak economic Europe isn't going to hurt the US in our little global village?

[Belgian guy]

Can you be more specific in what you are talking about? I could have any architectural graduate in NYC in a job by Tuesday. I'm sure that is not an anomoly in the city's economy.

Or are you pulling this out of your anus?

You give the example of one type of graduate. The lack of jobs in Europe is very specific. Certain students are hired before they even graduate in some fields. Others can't find a job in their field of study if it saved their life.

[Caesar]

[obligatory stab]

French? Work? This is a trick question, right?

[/obligatory stab]

[afgrijselijkheid]

The better question is what is the unemployment rate for French citizens under 25 years of age?

Pretty darn high.

And, gee, why is that? Well, work rules make it incredibly difficult to hire and and lay off workers -- and that includes less experienced, and less skilled workers in small businesses (the main creators of jobs in any dynamic economy), many of whom happen to be younger.

So, the lefty protestors in the street, who look for the state to save them from the realities of the marketplace, would rather have no job at all, than a job that, you know, they have to be successful at, and which might entail some risk of losing it for a variety of reasons.

Sorta like what happens when a young person takes a job in this country.

These demonstrations are a microcosm of why Europe is ossifying right in front of our eyes.

a riddle...

Q: how does one know if karl is wrong?

A: he is awake


to answer the original question, the french protest are partially because de villepin's plays to his base pn the right with economic protectionism and partially because he plays to his base on the right with economic reforms such as a new employment contract for wrokers under 26 that allows companies to fire during the first two years for no good reason

the french like job security, they don't like swapping jobs all the time and there aren't many jobs to swap to

furthermore, karl, you should stop babbling at length when you quite obviously are full of it

can you tell us what the real difference in US and europe unemployment numbers... ya know, after we actually include americans in prison and those who have stopped looking for work?

[Popol Vuh]

I remember guys who are now in their 70's talking about the days when hourly union workers made more than most college graduates.My US history teacher told that back in those days you didnt need to have a college degree to have a nice car,house,etc.He said his dad worked at good year changing car tires and lived well. I wish it was like that these days. :rolleyes:

[Yankee_Blue]

Not bad, but fairly typical. Somebody asks a question about the conditions of French employment and within 3 posts the thread turns into a diatribe against American employment.

I call it "Three Degrees of American Hate."

[afgrijselijkheid]

Not bad, but fairly typical. Somebody asks a question about the conditions of French employment and within 3 posts the thread turns into a diatribe against American employment.

I call it "Three Degrees of American Hate."
ummm where is this, now?

[eric_appleby]

the french like job security, they don't like swapping jobs all the time and their aren't many jobs to swap to


Gee, why aren't there many jobs to swap to?

[afgrijselijkheid]

Gee, why aren't there many jobs to swap to? did i mention the right wing pandering with the over-nationalistic economic protectionism? did i mention that the french like to remain in the same job, leaving little turnover?

hey, i never said france was the land of opportunity, just trying to answer a question and correct karl's lies

[eric_appleby]

The reform states that workers under 26 can be fired within the first 2 years of employment?

And hundreds of thousands are protesting and rioting over this?

There's no hope for France.

[afgrijselijkheid]

The reform states that workers under 26 can be fired within the first 2 years of employment?

And hundreds of thousands are protesting and rioting over this?

There's no hope for France. fine, be glib

The law would allow businesses to fire young workers in the first two years on a job without giving a reason, removing them from protections that restrict layoffs of regular employees.

certainly not to excuse the rioting, but i can easily see why they protest - as delicious as it may seem, de villepin's ratings are lower than W's and deservedly so

all those immigrant riots at the turn of the year were in no way "muslim-related" (as karl and the archerettes gleefully suggested), they were mainly due to economic gripes