Polish as Mars

Interview with Leo Layden, Irishman, Head of IT and logistics and forwarding companies in Dublin

 

King needed: For over four years're the boss two Poles - you can tell, that przejrzałeś them through?

Leo Layden: What worries me more, that they can look me. When it comes to their personality, This one I'm sure: characters are complex and not easy to view. Wyciągałbym not too many sociological lessons from our experience. They are not typical of Poles, like I'm not a typical Irish. But who that is,?

What do you expect, when they began work in a company?

– A new employee is always an "experiment". Has previously worked with people of different nationalities, also with Poles. As with all new staff, I was hoping, that work will be satisfactory both to them, and for our company. During the recruitment, if I remember, I spoke with trainees from Ireland, Polish, Spain, Italy and Nigeria. Foreigners were more focused, involved, goal-oriented and seemed to me to be more interested in working, for which you are trying, though the more they wanted to get this job. Employment enthusiastic person is always a good start and augury for the future.

You had no doubt associated with alien employment?

– I personally do not. I was curious how others react to their employees. The IT department is responsible for support, continuous interactions with staff are an important element in this work. So I'm slightly concerned about the language barrier, idiomy, I was afraid of trouble with the proper understanding of problems and instructions (by both parties), I was not too sure if any of the crew are found to be racist. No major problems but it was not, nor those of the Polish, or professional. The company gradually "absorbed" boys!

What is the stereotype of Polish employees working among Irish managers?

– Usually, the Irish employers do not differentiate between the Polish, Latvia, Litwą the Estonia (until we employ a mixture of nationalities, who will fight among themselves!). Speaking more seriously, I, that there is a hierarchy of "foreign" workers in Ireland. The first level are those of the native English (USA, Australia, Great Britain), second level - the Poles, Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians, third level - Hispanic, The French, Germany. The fourth level are the Romanians, Bulgarians, Nigerians (oh my god, and yet we are racist!).

There are also other factors. If you are seeking professionals, each applicant, regardless of nationality will be considered individually. In turn these, who are looking for workers – plumbers, Electrician, mechanics, monterów itp. – Poles perceive as good workers, professional and cheaper in employment. It seems to me, there is even a preference in hiring Poles in this group. Employers in the hospitality business and the hospital also evaluate the Poles as good workers but are concerned about the level of English proficiency, and the, that they can treat people (guests, patients) differently than do the Irish.

We are happy to employ foreigners?

– The vast majority are happy with this possibility. During the "Irish boom 'expectations of domestic workers has grown to enormous size. The influx of people prepared to work and not overgrown ambition, Most Irish companies happily greeted.

The correct reading of the diplomas of Polish universities is of course a difficult task, but comparable to decode the written Irish Latin. We believe, that the Polish education system is similar to our own and do not recall any negative experiences with the related.

During conversations with people trying to get a job, Always ask if they plan to stay in Ireland. The answer is usually the same: Applicants do not know, but claims, that it intends to be the next two, three years. For most employers this is a satisfactory answer.

As to, whether the newcomers are a threat to the Irish working, from the viewpoint of the employer, there is nothing wrong with that. Greater competition in the market lowers the cost of employment. Of course there, where unemployment is high, reactions may be quite different.

Are the Poles are very different from the Irish?

– Indifferently. But I do not like to generalize such matters. Is the question about the differences between the Poles and Paddys [Irish colloquial term - ed] is not in itself a racist?

For me the last four years were interesting in many respects. For the first time I work in the department, which is completely male, not a single woman. It has a far greater impact on the work than the fact, that both workers are Poles. Besides, you guys are ok. thirty years, and I'm fifty. Make, I feel that the old man! I am an (Also for the first time) the oldest employee of our department. And this is more than a cultural shock to the Irish-Polish customs. There you go – racism, sexism, wiekizm [discrimination on grounds of age - ed] all in one answer!

The only problem I have with the Poles, it is, they talk to each other in Polish, even in the presence of other employees. In Ireland, it is seen as rudeness. However, it seems, that guys do not get this completely.

Do not you learned Polish by those four years?

– Only profanity. Languages ​​are not my strong point, and the Polish sounds to me like Mars.

 

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The employer cares about me

Interview with Alan Mountain, Pole, Leo subordinates Layden

King needed: Your boss Leo the fact that more experienced, that section are the same men, than, that his subordinates are Poles.

Alan Gorski: It seems to me, But at the beginning that he had some concerns. When I started work the situation was quite different – most of the employees of our department were Irish, was also one girl. Now most of the Poles and the same men. The atmosphere is relaxed. Leo slowly begins to understand Polish humor. And because we are in the male group, Our jokes may be less fussy.

What do you expect to work starting in the Irish IT company?

– First of all, I thought, to me it would be easier to find. Once you've made it and got a job in the company, where I am today, I had some concerns about communication with other employees. Unnecessarily, they all received me warmly. The work itself and responsibilities associated with it from the beginning not caused me problems. My education was sufficient, although the theoretical, because in Poland, unfortunately, does not prepare students to practice. If you are an enthusiast and professional supplementary training alone, it is easier to. You have to believe in yourself. Unfortunately, I've never been too sure of himself. The more a new job, but enough for a few days, to see, I will manage.

Living and working in Ireland for six years. Earlier in Poland there were employed in their profession. You see the difference?

– Of course – sufficient, not to return. Since I'm in Ireland, Do not leave me feeling, that the employer cares about me. I, that it is largely thanks to a specific employer, but it is a regularity in Ireland – Company, employing professionals with relevant education and experience, just take care of employees. They offer subsidies to private pension contributions, official cars, try to, employee to feel happy and not thinking about changing jobs. A worker in Ireland has a lot more rights than in Poland. For example, he can always sue the employer, if considered to be the victim, and when at work there is an accident, can be sure, that he will get compensation. Some companies also invest in the additional leave "Maternity" and maternity leave for employees (their position will surely be waiting for them).

The atmosphere at work is for me very important, and in my department is now truly a revelation. Leo is a great boss, who likes. Allows for multiple, supports the testing of new technologies, as both a colleague and we love to feel grateful to him, because it expands the company, but also can be a nuisance to other employees. Leo is not a bad joke for us with him and co-workers (all of course within reason). We have no problem with taking an unplanned free, when needed. We know, that you need to work off, at others and ourselves that we ensure.

The company also organized a social club, which is very important to me. The more, I am one of its founders. The club organized outings once a quarter. Sometimes there are cruises on the bay of Dublin, another time "looking for treasure" in the center of Dublin, and sometimes shoot each other again, "paintball".

Over the years I have the 20 days of leave, but for, I'm on the phone at the weekend I got an additional 6 days off. In this respect, so I can not complain. Unfortunately, we do not have now any bonuses due to crisis. For the same reason more than two years there were no increases, that were previously the norm.

Why speak Polish at work?

– We are simply convenient. Both with a friend know, that speak Polish to each other in the presence of others is regarded as a lack of respect, but I think, our colleagues that they know, that we do not do this, to their obrazić. Sometimes we are thus easier to communicate, sometimes missing terms in English, sometimes, doing it for a laugh. And sometimes we talk in English and only add to the end of each English word "ski", giving the impression of conversation in Polish. The Irish think, we're talking in Polish, and we have a good time.

talking: King needed

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