11 Aspects of American Work Culture That Europeans Find Hard to Accept
11 Aspects of American Work Culture That Europeans Find Hard to Accept
Having lived in the USA and grown up in France, I’ve noticed clear differences between American and European work cultures. The American approach is unique, often catching Europeans off guard with its distinct practices and expectations.
For Europeans, who are used to different work standards, some aspects of American work life can be hard to accept. Americans who’ve worked in Europe have shared these differences on a popular forum, and with hundreds of upvotes, it’s clear these experiences resonate with many. Have you lived or worked in Europe? Do these differences match your experience?
1. Number of Hours Worked
Americans clock in more hours at work compared to their European counterparts according to the OECD. For instance, in 2022, the average American worked 1811 hours a year. This contrasts sharply with countries like Germany, where the average was only 1341 hours. Such a stark difference in work hours often comes as a shock to Europeans, who are used to more balanced work-life practices.
2. Not Having Dedicated Sick Time
In the U.S., it’s not uncommon for sick leave to be lumped together with vacation time, one user reported. This means if you’re ill, you’re essentially using up your holiday time. Europeans, who typically have separate allocations for sick and vacation time, find this concept hard to digest, valuing the clear distinction between time off for health reasons and for rest and relaxation.
3. Low Number of Days Off
By law, Europeans enjoy a minimum of four weeks of vacation annually, a stark contrast to the U.S., where vacation time is significantly less generous. This limited time off is often a point of contention for Europeans, who value their lengthy holidays as a crucial part of work-life balance.
4. Limited Time Off in a Single Stretch
The idea of taking only a few days off at a time is another concept Europeans struggle with. In Europe, it’s not unusual to take up to three weeks off in a single go, something that’s often frowned upon or simply not feasible in the U.S. due to work culture and expectations.
5. Poor Protective Laws
European countries have strong worker protection laws, making it difficult to terminate employment without substantial cause. This contrasts with the U.S., where employment is typically at-will, meaning employers can fire employees more freely. This lack of protection is something Europeans often find unacceptable.
6. Work-Personality Ties
Americans often tie their identities closely to their professions, unlike Europeans, who maintain a clearer separation between work and personal life. This difference in perspective towards work and identity can be perplexing to Europeans who prioritize living over working.
7. High Stress for High Pay
While American salaries might be higher, Europeans recognize the trade-off in terms of increased stress and longer hours. The idea of sacrificing personal time for work, including staying late in the office or working on weekends, is less appealing to Europeans who value a balanced lifestyle.
8. PTO But Still Working
In the U.S., being on Paid Time Off (PTO) doesn’t always mean you’re fully off work. You might still be expected to answer emails or work on tasks. This concept is alien to Europeans, who expect vacation time to be truly disconnected from work responsibilities.
9. Less Protective Contracts
Employment contracts in Europe tend to offer more protection to the worker, highlighting a significant disparity with the U.S., where contracts often favor the employer, allowing them more freedom to terminate employment. This lack of security is a difficult pill for Europeans to swallow.
10. Not Focused on Career Glory
In Europe, there’s less emphasis on climbing the career ladder purely for the sake of status or recognition. This contrasts with the American approach, where there’s often a race to take on more responsibilities and achieve higher positions, a pursuit that Europeans might find less meaningful.
11. Checking Your Phone on Weekends
The practice of staying connected and checking work emails on weekends is common in the U.S. but not in Europe, especially in France, where disconnecting during off-hours is more strictly observed. This constant connectivity expected in American work culture is something many Europeans prefer to avoid.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.