I think there's a great opportunity to set up a trade union specifically for the consultancy sector. The power balance at present is vastly in favour of the employer, and many companies seem to be exploiting this privilege in terms of working hours, pay, dubious HR practices, etc. I'm all for the free market but would love to see some kind of end to the expectation that consultants will invariably get treated like dirt.

There is a union in IBM BCS, but it’s the kiss of death to your career to join it

Doesn't surprise me. Like a lot of HR legislation, it doesn't work.Supposedly it's illegal to discriminate against staff on the grounds of trade union membership. Supposedly employees have the right not to work more than 48 hours per week.I can think of many more examples of where consultants are routinely having their legal rights made into a mockery by powerful employers.

I have a slightly different view on this and I wonder whether my experiences are shared. If I worked a 48 hour week - I would find it extremely difficult to fill my time outside of work. I mean, I can't imagine what a "normal" job would be like. Finishing at 6:30pm? My social life regularly revolves around work - be this relaxing in the hotel with my colleagues, or pulling a late one at the office. Being on client sites 4 days a week - usually abroad - is now the "norm" for me - to the extent that, rather like people in prison being released, I think I would find it hard to live any other lifestyle. It's almost scary to think that I might be thrust upon my own devices at 6:30pm :-)

Jan, that's really not at all healthy...

In what way is that not healthy? Where in our genetics does it say that an 8 hour working day is right?It's rubbish, each to his own, balance your own life. Jan appears to be very happy, and is making it wotk in his/her interests.I have worked for several years in an industry crippled by Union activity. They take the lowest common denominator and set it as a benchmark. We tried to introduce a new bit of kit which was lighter and easier to use because people were getting back problems and the Union demanded a £250 'technology payment' for each employee which resulted in us ditching the equipment!Unions are generally full of bitter retards who are envious of people who make it and use the nonsence of political correctness and the low intelligence of the general populous to further their weak cause and perpetuate their own survival.Boy that got me going!!!

I don't think it's healthy because Jan doesn't seem to have much of a life outside of work. Amongst (many) other considerations, what would happen if he/she lost his/her job? By all means disagree and it's your choice if you wish to spend your life in the office, hanging out with colleagues, "pulling late ones", etc. Personally I think it's a recipe for burnout, and part of the reason this industry has such a high attrition rate.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And talking shop with colleagues in a hotel restaurant or 'socialising' by the water cooler at 9pm doesn't count as play, by the way.

Yes I am extremely happy in my work. I said my social life revolves around work - during the week this involves drinking / socialising with my colleages, or working late, primarily because I work in a European city 4 days a week and my colleagues are all I have! Yes I go to the gym, yes I have external interests at weekends, but 5 days a week my life is work, and my work is life, and that makes me extremely happy. This is a lifestyle choice I have made and sometimes that is not for everyone. It's a notable facet of graduate recruitment into this industry, and indicative of the public perception in general, that not many people really know what a management consultant does. I fully understand my obligations and I'm very happy with my lifestyle choice. I was merely asking whether this experience is shared. Unionise consulting? Why bother? If you don't like the lifestyle, move elsewhere.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you by the way?

Have to agree with super healthy...Having worked in Germany for a number of years, I feel qualified to comment on the deeply frustrating stasis which arises within a highly unionised industry.Organisations work with consulting firms to help them face their greatest challenges. They pay big bucks and in return, they quite rightly expect results. The idea that this can be delivered with shop stewards lurking in every corner is utterly risible.Unions and workers councils merely formalise, even procedurise, laziness.

Don't mind you asking at all. I'm 25 and I've been working for 3 years. The lifestyle suits me extremely well at this age. However I know that when I am looking to have children, I won't want to be out of the country most of the week. So, point taken, this lifestyle suits me only at this point in time.