What is the workday like in Europe?

Question

Trying to get a picture of an average workday across the ocean.

This is what I understand happens in Italy:

People start their day (don't know what time) they have about 2 hours midday break, then go back to work until 7-8-9 p.m.

So what I'm asking is (and not just for Italy): what time does the workday start? How long is lunch break? How late do people work until? I know most countries give 4 weeks vacation usually in the middle of the summer, is that still being given? How is the usual spirit of the place where YOU work?

Thanks all for answering.

Answer 1

There is no set pattern for Europe as a whole.  We're a continent that's made up of many different and diverse nations, and each one has it's own patterns.

I work in the UK (London to be precise) and think I'm fairly typical of most workers.  I start work around 9am, take a one hour lunch break (in this country, if you took a 2 hour lunch break you'd get fired) around 1pm and then work through to sometime between 6pm-8pm depending upon how much work I've got on.

Under EU law, all full-time workers in EU countries have to be given a minimum of 4 weeks holiday a year, but this can be taken whenever you want and not during a set 4 week period in the summer.  I think most companies would go bust if they sent their staff home for 4 weeks!!  In practice, however, most employers give more holiday and I would say that in the UK 5 weeks a year is probably the norm.

Answer 2

In Ireland:

Shift work hours of course can vary.

Your entitled to 4 weeks off.

Not in the summer specifically just throughout the year and usually in week blocks not 4 weeks in a row.

Generally people work 9am - 5/5.30 pm

Some 8am - 5pm

You get a 30 minute break.