How Working in Iceland is Different from the U.S. - Sharing the Good & the Bad I've Experienced

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.

Join the All Things Iceland Community on Patreon to get access to exclusive content and benefits.

------------------------------------------------------------

Learn about Icelandic history, language, nature, and culture on the All Things Iceland podcast.

Available for download at:

Apple podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Google Play
Stitcher
TuneIn
PlayerFm
Overcast
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Learn more about Iceland on my other social media channels:
Instagram - @allthingsiceland
Facebook - @allthingsiceland
Twitter - @jewellschambers
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Thanks for watching!

#Iceland #Icelandicpeople #workinginiceland

[jwestfalldavis]

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.

[RraMakutsi]

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.

[md]

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.

[tlowery]

This video is making me reflect on how archaic American employment is lol

[Elizabeth-uutv]

I don't know why YouTube 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!

[sarabjarnveig]

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).

[rogermoore]

I would like to see you cook some Icelandic food in a video.

[davidgiles]

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.

[n.ayisha]

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.

[anon]

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.

[jakeryan]

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!)

[bjornkron]

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.

[Leelz]

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!

[cn-ygvf]

American companies have retention problems. More vacation means more to people than a raise in most cases. 2 weeks a year is ridiculous.

[hobi]

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.

[bszhwsv]

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.

[Dutchbelg]

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.

[RraMakutsi]

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 :-(

[nightmotherasmr]

They work to live (and enjoy life), they don't live to work :)

[teenatravelsabroad]

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. :)