My father works in a managing position for a pretty successful European company (let's call it A) that has rather recently been bought by a huge US compepitor (B). They integrated A into B as a subsidiary without changing the name or much at first (changing the name from just “A” to “A by B”)
Now my father has not been required to learn the English language which is why he has just rudimentary understanding of this language which is why he came to me yesterday asking me for help translating some educational programs he was now required to do. Mostly pretty basic stuff about malware, email security and workplace security on site and during remote working.
However, there where a few things that had me in shock as I translated it for my father to understand. First was a Program that was installed where he would be required to continuously monitor the workers in his department that would update their pay according to his assessment.
Most importantly there where legal documents for Fraternisation and termination related policies that had to be accepted, remind you, in English and dor people who work in Germany and have not been required to have any knowledge of the English language prior.
Company policy forbids romantic or sexual relations or even FRIENDSHIPS between coworkers of differing management levels or even the same level if both are high level management. While such relationships between high management and workers are usually frowned upon in Germany, nobody has any right to act against such unless the relationship significantly influences workflow.
B even threatens everyone who knows about such relations without telling supervisors with immediate termination.
There where a lot more such policies in those documents that just had me going “What The Fuck? This would never be even remotely legal in Germany!” In there, like forbidding any talks about payment and the general Snitch policy for everything. US companies are toxic af and anyone who has to work in the US has my deepest condolences. Stay strong and fight for your rights!
tl;dr:
German guy read through US companies work policies and is dumbstruck about what bullshit is usual in such companies that would be highly illegal in Germany