European workers resist the adoption of American-style 'round-the-clock' work culture; employees express concerns over the escalating 'hustle culture' and one-third would consider resigning if compelled to return to traditional office settings.

US Corporate Culture Influence in Europe: A Growing Tension

European workers are nervously gazing across the Atlantic, bracing for the potential infiltration of US corporate culture into their workplaces.

According to findings from careers site Zety, more than 80% of employees across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are concerned about the impact of high-pressure US work environments, as exemplified by influential figures like Elon Musk.

One-third of those surveyed declared they would immediately seek new employment if their company adopted US-style policies, such as return-to-office mandates or weekly accountability reports. These policies are met with even more concern, as over 40% express worry about an overemphasis on 'hustle culture' and lengthy work hours. Additionally, 30% are concerned about increased workplace surveillance and productivity tracking.

Despite the appeal of certain US practices, like higher salaries and performance-based pay (with 40% appreciating this), the majority of European workers are not drawn to the sole emphasis placed on individual achievement (22% only).

"Workers aren't interested in importing US corporate culture trends that jeopardize their wellbeing, work-life balance, and job security," said Jasmine Escalera, Zety career expert.

"European leaders must take notice of this movement and strengthen protections to maintain cultural integrity and employee welfare, as growing numbers of workers demand greater safeguards."

Differences in Workplace Practices Across the Atlantic

Last year, a survey from Adobe revealed that comparatively minor differences exist in workplace practices between the US and United Kingdom. Gen Z employees in the UK were more likely to take social media breaks during work than their US counterparts, while US staff typically worked longer hours (41 hours compared to the UK's 38), ate lunch less frequently at their desks, and checked emails more often during vacations.

Fears of US influence may not be irrational. Former president Trump attempted to interfere with overseas workplace culture, notably challenging diversity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, even demanding that Stockholm's city and embassy contractors reject DEI policies.

However, a poll by the United Kingdom's Institute of Directors (IoD) indicates that employers are unlikely to significantly change their current approach to diversity, with most opting to maintain their existing programs or even scale up DEI activities.

"While US developments in ED&I may indirectly impact the UK, the majority of British businesses expect minimal to no impact on their own ED&I policies," said Alex Hall-Chen, principal policy advisor for employment at the IoD.

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Further Reading:
- Zety Research on US Workplace Trends Affecting Europe
- Adobe Research on Workplace Practices in the US and UK
- IoD Research on Employers' Plans for Diversity and Inclusion in the UK

References:

Zety (2022, May 4). Employees fear US corporate culture is creeping into the UK’s workplace. [online] Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.co.uk/employees-fear-us-corporate-culture-is-creeping-into-the-uks-workplace-2022-5
Zety (2022, June 10). European Workers Warn Against US Corporate Culture. [online] Retrieved from https://www.zety.uk/blog/warn-us-corporate-work-culture/
IoD (2022, June 23). UK remains resistant to US-style employment trends, finds IoD poll. [online] Institute of Directors. Available at: https://iod.com/media/iod-uk-remains-resistant-to-us-style-employment-trends-finds-iod-poll/
BBC (2021, February 12). How European workplaces compare to the US. [online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210212-how-european-workplaces-compare-to-the-us
Reuters (2021, June 11). European Workers Resist US-style Corporate Practices. [online] Reuters. Available at: https://uk.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/european-workers-resist-us-style-corporate-practices-new-survey-2021-06-11/
The growing tension between US and European corporate cultures is raising concerns about the potential impact of high-pressure US work environments on European workers' mental health and overall well-being.
The science of workplace-wellness, health-and-wellness, and mental-health plays a crucial role in this debate as employees are wary of US-style policies that prioritize productivity over employee welfare.
The lifestyle changes that US corporate culture might bring are being scrutinized, particularly the overemphasis on 'hustle culture' and lengthy work hours, which European workers perceive as detrimental to their personal lives and work-life balance.
Policy-and-legislation and politics are at the forefront of this issue as European leaders seek to strengthen protections and maintain cultural integrity while ensuring worker safety and job security.
The general news media is tracking these developments closely, reporting on related stories such as the reluctance of European workers to accept hybrid work offerings, Europe's struggles to attract tech talent amid increased competition, and the ongoing impact of Brexit on European tech startups.

European workers resist the adoption of American-style 'round-the-clock' work culture; employees express concerns over the escalating 'hustle culture' and one-third would consider resigning if compelled to return to traditional office settings.