Different Work Cultures Around the World

Thursday, October 27, 2022

How every country approaches work is significantly influenced by their way of life. In many Muslim countries, weekends are moved to Friday and Saturday in order to make room for the Muslim holy day. In many European countries, personal pursuits are considered just as important as career aspirations, so most companies give employees mandatory vacations. Meanwhile, in Asian countries where work is a big part of life, long working hours are the norm.

These differences reveal interesting insights about the dominant values in each culture. In this article, we look at some of these differences and how they developed.

Work-life balance is a priority in Europe

Work-life balance is central to the European lifestyle. They take work seriously but also understand that it is but one aspect of a fulfilling life. Europeans value their personal time and this mindset is reflected in their workplace policies.

Here are some landmark examples.

Right to Disconnect Law in France

This law states that employees are not obligated to respond to work emails outside their working hours, a prerogative that eliminates much of the stress from the constant need to be at upper management’s beck and call as in other parts of the world.

Fika is mandatory in Sweden

The Swedish love their breaks and consider them an important ingredient in being productive.

By definition, Fika means “to have coffee.” Companies in Sweden are mandated by law to give their employees at least two fika breaks a day. The rest of the world should take note

Decisions are made in consensus in Japan

When an important decision needs to be made within a Japanese company, everyone participates in the decision-making process. They gather the facts, analyze the situation, and debate different perspectives until a consensus is reached. This process allows everyone to understand the situation and gives them the opportunity to have their voices heard.

This democratic approach to decision-making is a clear contrast from the top-down approach in management in the West where decisions are made by upper management.

This makes more sense when you consider that in Japan, employment is mostly considered a lifetime commitment and workers are particular about choosing who they work for. The Japanese also place a high value on the dignity of the individual.

New parents in Iceland both receive parental leave

In solidarity with the most important group in a country, the family, Icelandic law mandates full parental support for both parents after a child’s birth. This means mothers receive the right support at home, fathers don’t have to stress over leaving their postpartum spouse every day, and both parents don’t have to worry about dwindling finances.

Maintaining eye contact during meetings is important in South Africa

While it might be considered rude in some countries to stare at your coworkers, it is considered a mark of respect and sincerity in South Africa. Maintaining eye contact is necessary for business settings and in the overall work culture.

Denmark has a non-hierarchical work structure

The Danish work culture is known for its flat work hierarchy. Workers can openly communicate their woes and concerns in the workplace, which makes it easy to coordinate efforts, disseminate information, and lower operational costs when a company does not need to pay for middle management.

A flat work structure empowers an organization to be autonomous, encouraging every member to be more responsible and accountable.

Time is money for Americans

Work is a big part of American culture. Working long hours is normal and those who do are praised for their grit and positively seen as a “go-getters”. This mentality is reflected in their work policies such as having no paid leaves for new parents.

American workers are expected to respect the work structure when in place, although some modern businesses operate on a flatter organizational hierarchy.

Flexibility is central to the Indian work culture

Cementing solid relationships is important to the Indian workplace and so, trust is highly valued. That said, having a good network of people is an advantage. Most Indian businesspeople prefer to work with someone they know or those who are vouched for by someone they know. This makes business introductions important in the Indian work culture.

Work is a big part of Life in Taiwan

In Taiwan, business revolves around relationships that have been developed over time. The Taiwanese are generally calm and considerate when it comes to business. They are also non-confrontational and avoid conflict. That said, anyone dealing with business in Taiwan is expected to be respectful, polite, and punctual.

South Koreans bond over Soju

No matter where you are in the world, drinks are an important aspect of social life and in Korea, it’s no different. Drinking is especially integral to the South Korean business culture.

This drinking culture is called Hweshik, which means "dinner with coworkers". The venue of these after-work meetings gives executives and subordinates the opportunity to bond in a low-stress, low-pressure environment.

This makes sense in a culture with relatively long work hours and where relationships are held with utmost importance in the work setting.

Sunday is a normal working day in the Middle East

Most countries in the middle east work from Sunday to Thursday in order to preserve the Muslim holy day on Fridays. However, many Middle Eastern countries have expressed interest in changing the tradition and following the western work schedule of Mondays to Fridays in order to bolster trade.

Just in 2021, the United Arab Emirates announced that it’s adopting a four-and-a-half working week starting every Monday to Friday noon in order to still give people time off on Fridays.

German workplaces are structured

The German work culture is best described as formal and professional. The work environment operates on a well-defined structure and hierarchy with merit as the foundation of any position’s qualifications.

Personal and professional lives blend in Chinese workplaces

Hard work is at the center of Chinese work culture. The Chinese believe that working hard contributes to one’s overall happiness. The culture can be best described by the proverb that says “nothing is impossible to a willing mind.” Diligence and persistence are highly valued in business and in life.

Conclusion

Perspective on work around the world is heavily influenced by its defining culture. Knowing these different work styles and approaches will help inform employers looking to put together an international team and employees seeking international employment to understand a diverse work environment and make it work.

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