Work Culture                                                                                                        

A key issue for many workers is flexible working time in order to have a work-life balance.

Germany maintains a high level of productivity with an average working hours of 35 hours per week.

Germans also enjoy a high number of paid vacation days, with many salaried employees receiving 24 paid days. Extended holidays mean families can enjoy up to a month together, renting an apartment by the seaside or taking a long trip to a new exciting city.

German business culture is one of intense focus and direct communication. Direct conversation can lead to increased efficiency, and more clarity of communication among team members. They use commanding language without softening the directives with polite phrases.Whereas when others say, “It would be great if you could get this to me by 3pm,” a German would say, “I need this by 3pm”.

When a German is at work, they are focused and diligent, which in turn leads to higher productivity in a shorter period of time.

Germans work hard and play hard. Since the working day is focused on delivering efficient productivity, the off hours are truly off hours.

To occupy their plentiful Freizeit, most Germans are involved in Verein (clubs); regularly meeting others with shared interests in their community. Common interests in Germany include Sportvereine (sports clubs), Gesangvereine (choirs or singing clubs), Musikvereine (music clubs), Wandervereine (hiking clubs), Tierzuchtvereine (animal breeding clubs - generally rabbits/pigeons) and many more.Rather than settling in for a night of TV after work, most Germans socialize with others in their community and cultivate themselves as people.

 

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