> The other part is that companies are much more willing to hire people if they know they can get rid of them if either that person ends up sucking or business

> The other part is that companies are much more willing to hire people if they know they can get rid of them if either that person ends up sucking or business starts to fall off. That and other reasons (few vacantion days, request to overtime, etc) is why one should avoid American companies in Europe, if possible. Trust goes both ways.