Office Cultures Around The World

Work cultures change dramatically from one company to another or from one industry to another. One thing is working for a law firm where you need to be well dressed every day and working hours can usually be 50-80 hours, while it’s a very different story if you’re working for a "dotcom", where dress code is very casual, many people work remotely and those who go to the office can enjoy perks like games and sleeping pods. 

But what happens when you’re not switching company but moving to a different country? now that’s a whole new challenge.

Below you will find different office cultures:

Great Britain: UK has a relaxed culture, whereas relationships often switch between friendship and colleagues. Some foreigners may see it as unprofessional, but it’s normal at a humorous environment, where personal conversations happen frequently. Brits are a bit more relaxed for appointments than Americans, it's OK to be somewhat late. It’s a very consultative culture where meetings are the common place to criticize, discuss and challenge other opinions, however all in a friendly environment as employees are encouraged to participate actively in decision making.

China: If you’re traveling to China, don’t expect too much feedback from your boss. They tend to communicate through “middlemen” and when they tell you what to do, they don’t expect you to ask anything as it would be taken as questioning their authority. Contrary to the US, where you ask everything to make sure you understand, in China you should ask as least as possible. If you are the boss, instructions should be given in a very polite way and if you have feedback, it should be given indirectly and at the right moment as it could be taken as something negative. 

Sweden: PUNCTUALITY, that’s the first thing you have to learn. People arrive 10 minutes early to every meeting. Meetings will take long as everybody is heard. You might find a few people that don’t do as much as the rest, but it’s because in Sweden companies don’t fire their employees that often, so there’s no “threat”. But overall it’s a calm environment, very harmonic. 

Spain: Before going to the office for the first day, make sure to go shopping to look fashionable and smart. Spaniards are known to be well-dressed professionals. Although they have fame of being lazy, don’t believe what others say and if you have a meeting, be there on time as your counterpart will most likely be there on time. Keep in mind there’s a siesta time (nap time), which means they take a 2 hour lunch break. Professional offices usually open from 10 to 2, then from 4 to 7. 

Whether it’s for a permanent relocation or a business trip, before traveling make sure to read some business etiquette tips to avoid any embarrassing moments or even losing a deal. 

Have you suffered from office culture differences? Share your stories with us!

How Evolved Is Your Office

Human beings have evolved, while at the beginning we were stronger, made for hunting and walking long distances, today, human beings are rarely in the wild, instead our daily routine is walking short distances, sitting in front of a computer most of the time and writing short messages rather than speaking to someone else.

And while we continue evolving, our major causes of sickness have changed over time as well. Stress has become one of the major causes for other illnesses such as heart diseases, depression, obesity, digestive & sleep problems, etc.

Companies tend to believe that employee dissatisfaction disappears by increasing bonuses but few of them rely on psychology to identify other ways to increase happiness, motivation and productivity.

A study by the British Psychological Society, based on environmental and evolutionary psychology reveals what would be the best scenario for our workplaces.

Greenery & Exercise:

Humans need to be exposed to nature, we were meant to live in a green environment but we have adapted to the cement environment we have created. Having plants in the office reduces our anxiety, provides clean air and removes toxins from the air. It would be ideal to jog in a nearby park or during lunch time to go and walk for a few minutes near plants.
And moving or exercising should also be promoted. Doing pauses for a stretch, having a ping pong or finding ways for your team to move a little is beneficial for all.

Nap?

Yes, some may be against the idea of paying their team to sleep, but a quick nap after lunch will re-energize, clear your mind and avoid all the time lost while we fight not to sleep. While you are telling your body to think, your body is asking for some time to process what you just ate. That internal fight is reflected in the sleepiness we feel after lunch. A ten minute nap requires of a silent and comfortable place where people can have a quality rest and recharge their batteries to continue their afternoon

Pets

Most will disagree as pets require time, dedication and may become a distraction. But the study shows how a pet can help bring group cohesion, trust, cooperation and many smiles to your whole team.

It’s not an easy task, it involves changing the culture and involving the whole company, but don’t forget that productivity is not the mean but the result of happy people. 

Give it a try, and if you need some inspiration, give us a call or visit OfficeList and we’ll share experiences from our customers.