Each sphere of German life - home, family, work, and recreation - is clearly defined and clearly separated. Germans tend to separate their work lives from their home lives and to regard work as a functional activity. Bosses and colleagues place high expectations on workers, and little time is wasted on non work-related activities. Overall, workdays are short and intense, with few interruptions.
Each sphere of German life - home, family, work, and no play would make life very dull indeed. So by midday on Friday, many offices are emptying out as people rush home for the weekend.
The German workplace is generally harmony-oriented, in part because it is controlled by such an elaborate system of regulations. There's a strong desire to deal with difficult or sensitive issues clearly, logically, and fairly. Conflicts can generally be avoided by relying on a legally based conflict-resolution mechanism An emphasis on hard work and a sense of fair play pervade the business culture.
With such a focus on business and results, it's easy to forget that there is a distinctly unique German culture. From how people interact, communicate and negotiate, there's a focus on formality, process, results, and efficiency that may surprise professionals from other cultures. Not sure of how to properly interact with a colleague or customer or how to best manage employees, CultureQuest can help.
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