MikeS

Can't comment on most of this, but I don't think you can necessarily judge the quality of a workplace by the amount of words written in the contract. I have seen contracts which said almost nothing, yet the bosses looked after the employees and they were very happy. I've also seen highly detailed contracts and yet everyone was whingeing and bitching about alleged failures to honor the contracts. So I think its more about attitude than anything else.
If an employee gives more than the basics, and the boss responds accordingly, then that fosters a good atmosphere. If an amployee spends heaps of time assuming the boss is trying to shaft him/her and examining the fineprint for alleged wrongs, then the atmosphere is poisoned and its all downhill to a messy end.
I find if you show respect and commitment and assume people will reciprocate, then they usually (not always) do. If they don't, well, at least your nose is clean and you can look yourself in the mirror and be satisfied you're a decent person, whichn is what really counts in the long run.

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