It's much worse over here in the US. Employers in the US have most people over a barrel. Most employees put the shackles on themselves by running up too much debt due to advertising and a materialistic culture.

A lot of people don't realise how powerful a position of strength is when dealing with unreasonable employers. If your skills are in demand you are in a position to quit (i.e. you have F.U. money), you can create a better work environment by letting the employer know ahead of time that there are certain things you won't tolerate. If they choose to sever the relationship because of this (Shitty American employment-at-will practise), you can find a job elsewhere, and they are stuck having to recruit a new person for the job.