A list of 11 german habits at the office
1. Germans value punctuality
They treat other people's time with disrespect. Promised deadlines need to be hit. Meetings start on time and end on time. Meeting rooms fill up five minutes before to start. Everyone sits patiently on their chairs. They sip some coffee and prepare for the meeting.
2. They avoid small talk
German employees work less but more productively. The key to high productivity is efficiency. Germans avoid small talk, particularly in meetings. Everyone effectively contributes to the project. There is no unnecessary or excessive talking. They leave the impression that you're not working.
3. They separate work from their personal lives
Germans might meet up with colleagues for a beer, but their conversation never focuses on work. The same applies to lunch breaks. They don't discuss their projects during lunch. It has to wait until after the break. When you leave the office on Friday, your weekend starts. Your manager won't expect you to be on hand. The same goes for your holidays.
4. They value teamwork
Germans tend to be individualistic, but a sense of community prevails in German companies. German work ethics focus on group dynamics. Employees work out effective strategies together. Discussions and debates are at the forefront of the process. This unlocks the maximum efficiency for all. Each employee feels their responsibility. Once someone fails, their duties go to their colleagues.
5. They rely on mentorship
With your manager, you share a mentor-mentee relationship. The manager guides you. They dont boss you around or monitor you. If you can't meet your deadline, you talk to your manager. They'll seek a solution together with you.Youll jontly decide on the objectives of projects. Then, you'll set new deadlines for you.
6. They show respect to each other
There are two words in German that mean "you". There is the formal "Sie" and the informal "Du". You always address your managers with the formal "Sie".
7. They don't go to work sick
Sick employees are expected to stay at home. They don't come into the office even with a slight cold. Germans go to the doctor as soon as they feel ill. A german takes 18 visits to the doctor on average.
8. They follow a strict dress code
German companies have a traditional office dress code. It is seen as a symbol of professionalism. Formal clothes show you have your life under control.
9. They start working early
Germans can start working at 6:30 a.m. Getting out of the office at 3 p.m. is therefore not a taboo. Offices clear out by 5 p.m. Working overtime isn't encouraged. You'll need to balance overtime another day.
10. They put everything in writing
Germany is one of the world's greatest paper consumers. A german uses an average of 551 pounds of paper annually. They keep a written record of everything in the office. What the paper says will always rule.
11. They hold celebrations in the office
Newcomers bring a cake when they start the job. It's a good way to get to meet new colleagues. Germans also organize a celebration when they leave a job. They bring a cake for their own birthday too.