Things I learned today.

[Spotted Horses]

I was at a Bank of America branch today doing a routine transaction. During some minor chit-chat the bank representative helping me mentioned that although she gets three weeks vacation, she is not allowed to take it in one stretch. She is only allowed to take vacation one week at a time.

[vandermolen]

I was at a Bank of America branch today doing a routine transaction. During some minor chit-chat the bank representative helping me mentioned that although she gets three weeks vacation, she is not allowed to take it in one stretch. She is only allowed to take vacation one week at a time.

Seems rather mean.

[Karl Henning]

I was at a Bank of America branch today doing a routine transaction. During some minor chit-chat the bank representative helping me mentioned that although she gets three weeks vacation, she is not allowed to take it in one stretch. She is only allowed to take vacation one week at a time.

Seems rather mean.

Yup, and "on-brand" for BofA. I would go on, but forbear for the nonce.

[JBS]

A lot of places do that, including my job.
The underlying reason usually seems to be not having enough staff to begin with.

[Karl Henning]

A lot of places do that, including my job.
The underlying reason usually seems to be not having enough staff to begin with.

Probably exacerbated in the COVID era.

[The new erato]

It's illegal not to have at least 25 days vacation in Norway,(sundays not included) of which at least 3 weeks shall be consecutive during the summer period. Above 60 get an extra week.

This is the legal minimum. Some employers have more, my wife above 60 had a week extra above this minimum.

[Spotted Horses]

I was surprised that a person with a "good" job would have this sort of restriction. I know that companies use computer scheduling systems to exploit low-status hourly workers, (food service, retail) giving them irregular, unpredictable hours that keep them on less than a full time schedule while making it impossible for them to have other jobs. This way they can maintain extra capacity and don't have to pay overtime during surge times. I didn't expect salaried workers to have such restrictions.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It's illegal not to hva at least 25 days vacation in Norway,(sundays not included) of which at least 3 weeks shall be consecutive during the summer period. Above 60 get an extra week.

This is the legal minimum. Some employers have more, my wife above 60 had a week extra above this minimum.

Sounds wonderful!

I was surprised that a person with a "good" job would have this sort of restriction. I know that companies use computer scheduling systems to exploit low-status hourly workers, (food service, retail) giving them irregular, unpredictable hours that keep them on less than a full time schedule while making it impossible for them to have other jobs. This way they can maintain extra capacity and don't have to pay overtime during surge times. I didn't expect salaried workers to have such restrictions.

Wow!  I hadn't heard of that before now!  Have you heard of specific companies doing that?  Sounds more like an urban myth me thinks.

PD

[Spotted Horses]

Wow!  I hadn't heard of that before now!  Have you heard of specific companies doing that?  Sounds more like an urban myth me thinks.

PD

It is a complaint I have heard from labor advocates. For instance:

https://sprawl-busters.com/uncategorized/wal-mart-has-to-clarify-employee-scheduling-system/

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It is a complaint I have heard from labor advocates. For instance:

https://sprawl-busters.com/uncategorized/wal-mart-has-to-clarify-employee-scheduling-system/

Thank you for that link....very interesting...and distressing!

PD

[DaveF]

It's illegal not to have at least 25 days vacation in Norway,(sundays not included) of which at least 3 weeks shall be consecutive during the summer period.

Is that because summer in Norway only lasts 3 weeks ?

(Actually, you would be lucky if so - summer in Wales usually lasts a week maximum.  The Welsh word for July is Gorfennaf, which means "Summer's end" - QED.)

[Scion7]

There is a New York, Ukraine.

[Spotted Horses]

The BBC News internet site now has a paywall? I tried to read an article and after clicking past the main page was present with subscription options blocking the article.

I pay to subscribe to the New York Times, but often consult the BBC site to get a non-US-centric view of the news. But I'm not going to pay for it. What does that leave me, CBC?

[DavidW]

The BBC News internet site now has a paywall? I tried to read an article and after clicking past the main page was present with subscription options blocking the article.

I pay to subscribe to the New York Times, but often consult the BBC site to get a non-US-centric view of the news. But I'm not going to pay for it. What does that leave me, CBC?

That still leaves you with the Guardian, which has no pay wall, just a pop-up begging you to donate.

[Brian]

Here's a thing I learned! A "Sloppy Joe" sandwich is totally different in New Jersey than it is anywhere else in the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloppy_joe_(New_Jersey)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloppy_joe

[owlice]

Not today, but recently I learnt that going over 85 MPH is a criminal offense in Virginia. It's classed as reckless driving and can result in prison and a criminal record. (In some other states as well.)

I've lived in the DC area all my life and had no idea this was the case! Since this knowledge fell into my lap, I've been telling everyone (especially my lead-footed Virginia-dwelling friends) I know (who also didn't know this); forewarned, etc., you know.

[Florestan]

Not today, but recently I learnt that going over 85 MPH is a criminal offense in Virginia. It's classed as reckless driving and can result in prison and a criminal record. (In some other states as well.)

In Romania that would be 136 kmph and if caught it would result in a fine and suspension of driving license for 120 days. No prison, no criminal record (which would be exaggerated imho).

[Karl Henning]

Here's a thing I learned! A "Sloppy Joe" sandwich is totally different in New Jersey than it is anywhere else in the USA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloppy_joe_(New_Jersey)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloppy_joe

Makes me think of the Firesign Theatre bit:
"Why not order up our special sandwich: Sleepy Joe? One's enough  cause they're half dogfood, half downer."

[JBS]

The BBC News internet site now has a paywall? I tried to read an article and after clicking past the main page was present with subscription options blocking the article.

I pay to subscribe to the New York Times, but often consult the BBC site to get a non-US-centric view of the news. But I'm not going to pay for it. What does that leave me, CBC?

I can read it with no apparent problem.
Here's a story about a wildfire destroying a historic tourist lodge on the Grand Canyon's North Rim, with quotes from a man who really is named Davy Crockett.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gd8d5jpy5o

[drogulus]

     I watch the BBC America channel. It's part of the news tier included in my cable subscription.