Not all workplaces are the same, though, and various factors can affect the culture of an office. We focus here more on the day-to-day environment of office life in Germany. If you want to learn more about doing business in Germany, or business communication in Germany, check out our article on German business etiquette<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/german-work-culture.jpg” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ width=”55%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”49px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#1″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n The Brits like to think of ourselves as quite a hardy bunch. We go out in t-shirts at the first sign of spring, and more often than not, we also go into the office when we have a bit of a cold.<\/p>\n Not the Germans. The slightest hint of a runny nose or a sore throat and they’re banging down the doctor’s door demanding a sick note for a week off work. In fact, the average German visits the doctor 18 times a year<\/a>. Touch wood, I don’t think I’ve seen mine 18 times in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n Now, I’ve received a bit of stick in the comments to my YouTube video about this.<\/p>\n Let’s be clear. I’m not saying people should go to work when they’re sick. Absolutely not! I know that sick workers are not productive.<\/p>\n I’m just saying that my experience is that Germans tend to have a lower tolerance for minor discomforts. Which conveniently leads onto #2…<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_color=”#e8e8e8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”1vw||||false|false” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|20px||20px” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.11″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”justify” custom_padding=”25px|20px|25px|20px|true|true” text_text_align=”justify”]<\/p>\n Don’t have time to read the post? Check out my video on YouTube instead!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/9QXUw-BhGgc” thumbnail_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.6)” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#ffffff”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#2″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n The Germans must be world champions for complaining about the office ambient temperature. There is an old wives’ tale\u00a0that a slight draft from an open window on an otherwise pleasant day is going to make them sick.<\/p>\n In the middle of summer, when most men are sweating buckets in the office because they have to wear trousers and closed shoes, you can guarantee that a female member of staff in a light blouse and open shoes will berate you for wanting the air con turned up or the windows open.<\/p>\n My survival trick was threatening to wear bathing shorts and flip flops to the office the next day!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.7″][et_pb_code admin_label=”OTTANOVA” _builder_version=”4.2.2″ text_orientation=”center”] [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#3″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n Compared to workplaces back home, my general observations have been that the workplace dress culture for women tends to be more conservative in Germany, whereas for men it seems to be more relaxed.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/p>\n Men wearing jeans and more casual shoes to the office is pretty normal in Germany, even for sales people attending more formal meetings. This definitely wouldn’t happen in the UK or the US outside of the hipster tech start-up scene.<\/p>\n Women in Germany generally tend to wear less make-up to the office. Trouser suits are much more common and high heels are a relative rarity.<\/p>\n Obviously a law office or accountancy practice in general is going to be more formal than a software development business. The formality (or lack of) of various industries is pretty congruent with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n I still don’t get the concept of wearing scarves indoors though.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/early-mornings-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#4″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n German working hours start early. Why? My theory on this is that it stems from the Germans school system starting at 7:30 in the morning. As a result, they’re used to getting out of bed at an ungodly hour from a very early age.<\/p>\n A lot of Germans with families drop the kids at school on the way to work, so 7:30 starts seem fairly normal to them. I also know Germans without families who routinely start work much earlier than this.<\/p>\n This tends to be more common in a manufacturing environment rather than pure service industries but the workday in general does tend to start earlier than in the English speaking world.<\/p>\n Being in the office at 6:30 here is not considered odd. The upside of this, if you’re a morning person, is that leaving the office at 15:00 is also not considered taboo (well, unless you start at 9:00!).<\/p>\n This is great on warm Summer days, as it gives the opportunity to go to the outdoor pool or the lake, or just go and relax in the park before enjoying your evening.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/paid-banners-Q1-affiliate-515×280-eur.jpg” url=”https:\/\/go.nordvpn.net\/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=35853&url_id=902″ url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.2.2″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#5″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n In a lot of instances, German colleagues will still address each other formally as Herr Y and Frau X, even if they have sat in the same office or along the same corridor as each other for several years. Walking the tightrope of whether to address someone formally or informally<\/a>\u00a0when starting a new job can be a tricky one for foreigners.<\/p>\n Also, they love their titles. Not as much as the Austrians and Italians do for sure, but much more so than a British or American workplace.<\/p>\n If someone has a doctor title, he\/she will most likely use it and expect to be addressed by it. Whilst this is still fairly commonplace, it is starting to become less fashionable amongst the younger generation. In the public sector and small to mid-size German companies though, this is definitely still a thing.<\/p>\n In tech, design and more hip industries, as well as in most large non-German multinational companies, they tend to instil a much flatter hierarchy and this formality is dying out.\u00a0The trend is only likely to continue, as younger Germans who have lived and studied abroad continue to enter the workforce.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/grossraumb\u00fcro-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#6″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n Germans like their privacy.<\/p>\n One of the ways this is exemplified in German work culture is that you don’t come across as many open plan \/ cubicle type office spaces as you see back home.<\/p>\n The upside of this is you’ll get more work done, as you’re much less likely to be disturbed by a colleague passing by on his way back from the coffee machine or to be distracted by other people’s phone conversations. The obvious downside is that it makes the workplace feel much less sociable.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/all-work-no-play-min.png” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#7″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n Following on from point 6, Germans tend to knuckle down and get their work done when they are in the office. Statistically they are much more productive during their working day than the average British person.<\/p>\n On average the Germans work 1.5 hours per week less<\/a> than\u00a0the British. However, productivity per capita is higher<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is too easy and\u00a0simplistic to say that this is uniquely down to them not spending work time on Facebook or chatting to colleagues about last night’s TV.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, there is more than a grain of truth in the assertion that by not spending time on small talk next to the kitchenette, more actual work tends to get done. The flip side of this is that German workplaces can often seem quite stiff, humourless places.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″ background_color=”#e2e2e2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”25px||25px||true|true” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”12px” box_shadow_vertical=”12px” box_shadow_blur=”10px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” global_module=”45571″ saved_tabs=”all”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.11″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.11″ text_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto||||||||” custom_padding=”|50px||50px|false|true”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/James-32-mediumres_done-min.png” _builder_version=”4.0.11″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”My Services” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ text_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_2_font=”Roboto||||||||” header_3_font=”Roboto||||||||” custom_padding=”30px|50px|30px|50px|true|true”]<\/p>\n Looking for a job in Germany?<\/strong><\/p>\n You need to have a stellar CV, cover letter and optimised LinkedIn profile.<\/p>\n Your international format CV won’t cut it. Cover letters in Germany are also an art.<\/p>\n Our templates and my coaching for job seekers like you<\/strong>\u00a0will help you to get more interviews!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/services\/job-search-help\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”Learn More” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.0.11″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”24px” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#fbdb47″ button_border_width=”1px” button_border_radius=”20px” button_font=”Roboto||||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”10px|40px|10px|40px|true|true” z_index_tablet=”500″ button_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” button_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_horizontal=”5px” box_shadow_vertical=”5px” box_shadow_blur=”15px” box_shadow_spread=”3px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” locked=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(251,219,71,0.4)” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#000000″ button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.72)”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″][et_pb_code admin_label=”AD_N26 728×90″ _builder_version=”4.2.2″ text_orientation=”center”] Socialising with colleagues outside of work is the exception rather then the norm in Germany.<\/p>\n There is a very distinct split between professional and social relationships, which at first may seem cold to an outsider. In reality it’s not, rather it reflects a subtle cultural difference that Germans tend to have fewer but closer friendships which they invest more time and energy into.<\/p>\n I see the merits of this to some extent, in the sense that introverts and private individuals do not feel forced to partake in work socials, which are usually arranged in the evenings.<\/p>\n I can’t help but thinking though that a couple of drinks with your team often goes a long way to smoothen the on-boarding process.<\/p>\n The “watch out for colleague X from department Y, he can be a stubborn little shit” or “the VP’s Assistant is the Sales Director’s girlfriend” kind of conversations tend to happen outside of work but are nonetheless important to understand what alliances and politics are the driving forces in the office.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/holiday-is-holiday-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#9″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n Following on from the mindset of (not) socialising with colleagues, this is another example of how Germans like to draw a firm line between work and play.<\/p>\n Now, I’m not saying you’ll never, ever<\/strong> get a phone call when you’re on the beach, especially if you are in a senior position. However, free time and vacation is respected by employers, colleagues and bosses alike in Germany and you are perfectly within your rights to put on your out-of-office that email is not being read and don’t call my mobile phone unless it is urgent.<\/p>\n Some large German companies, for example Daimler, even have formal HR policies which say that all email received during vacation time can\u00a0be deleted<\/a> or filed unread.<\/p>\n I love that attitude and am firmly of the belief that nothing is that urgent that it can’t wait until Monday morning or when you return. If a manager thinks you are so indispensable that his or her department can’t function properly without you there, something is seriously wrong with their leadership or team structure.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/german-inefficiency-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#10″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n German companies are extremely efficient at manufacturing, and also excel at planning and logistics.<\/p>\n On the other hand, they seem to be champions at creating work for work’s sake when it comes to any sort of administrative task. Support functions such as HR and IT departments are notoriously bureaucratic and inefficient. Many internal procedures and processes are paper-based and admin heavy.<\/p>\n Need to take a fleet car to go and see a vendor? You’ll probably have to take a slip of paper for someone or other to sign. Want to book holiday time? Again, probably paper based. Your payslip? Probably still sent in the post each month. The canteen? Probably still staffed by company employees rather than a specialist catering provider.<\/p>\n When you consider how lean German companies are when it comes to manufacturing, their inefficiency with administrative processes and non-core tasks just makes the mind boggle.<\/p>\n There is more than a grain of truth in the saying, “if you want to experience German efficiency, go to Switzerland”!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/swanky-office-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#11″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n I have a confession. I am hopeless at getting to meetings on time<\/a>. So much so that I set my watch 10 minutes fast. It still doesn’t help. Perhaps unbeknown to me I have some Latin ancestry.<\/p>\n In a\u00a0British company, the early birds\u00a0will get to a meeting on the hour, chat about football, have a bit of friendly banter, make small talk and then about 10 past probably start the meeting.<\/p>\n The Italians will only start turning up at around quarter-past. And then they all have to get coffee and talk loudly for a while before commencing.<\/p>\n Compare that with the Germans, on the other hand. They are there 5 minutes early, sat patiently, silently, and sipping coffee while slowly\u00a0becoming agitated if the meeting does not start dead on the hour.<\/p>\n Be warned, lateness is a big no-no in Germany!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/one-way-career-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#12″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n In Anglo-American firms, it is quite common for employee career development to be centred around gaining as much experience as quickly as possible, through holding different positions in various departments throughout the organisation.<\/p>\n German work culture differs in that professional development tends to centre around somebody becoming a subject matter expert in one particular area. Indeed, it is not uncommon for staff to have been in the same job for 10 years or more and to further their career through academic qualifications in that field. This reflects the more conservative culture in general found in German workplaces.<\/p>\n It has both its advantages and disadvantages: the strong subject matter expertise valued so much by customers and partners, versus the risk of missing out on innovative new ideas through “outsider” penetration which can disrupt a given department or function, questioning long-standing norms.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f8f8f8″ width=”80%” width_tablet=”75%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”2vw||2vw||false|false” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” border_width_all=”1px” global_module=”47539″ saved_tabs=”all”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”1vw||0vw||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”1vw||1vw||true|false”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”1vw||2vw||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|50px|0px|50px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”|15px||15px|false|false”][et_pb_blurb title=”FINDING A JOB” url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/finding-a-job\/” image=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/finding-a-job-1.png” alt=”finding a job in germany” image_max_width=”50%” image_max_width_tablet=”50%” image_max_width_phone=”60%” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Finding a Job” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ header_font_size=”16px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” 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link_option_url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/life-in-germany\/” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#4d4d4d” background_enable_color__hover=”on” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(251,219,71,0.5)”][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”|15px||15px|false|false”][et_pb_blurb title=”HEALTHCARE” url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/healthcare\/” image=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/healthcare.png” alt=”health insurance in Germany” image_max_width=”50%” image_max_width_tablet=”50%” image_max_width_phone=”60%” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Healthcare” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ header_font_size=”16px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|10px||10px|false|true” custom_margin_tablet=”||5vw||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”|10px|7vw|10px|false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”5px|10px|5px|10px|true|true” link_option_url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/healthcare\/” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#4d4d4d” background_enable_color__hover=”on” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(251,219,71,0.5)”][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.3″ custom_padding=”|15px||15px|false|false”][et_pb_blurb title=”HOUSING” url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/housing\/” image=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/housing.png” alt=”apartments in Germany” image_max_width=”50%” image_max_width_tablet=”50%” image_max_width_phone=”60%” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Housing” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ header_font_size=”16px” background_enable_color=”off” text_orientation=”center” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|10px||10px|false|true” custom_margin_tablet=”||5vw||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”|10px|7vw|10px|false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”5px|10px|5px|10px|true|true” link_option_url=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/blog\/housing\/” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#4d4d4d” background_enable_color__hover=”on” background__hover_enabled=”on|hover” background_color__hover=”rgba(251,219,71,0.5)”][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" German work culture has a reputation for being formal, sensible, and compartmentalised. We’ve all heard the stereotypes: Joking around in the workplace is less common than in English-speaking countries. Days start early, but generally work gets left in the workplace and employees free time is respected. But how true are these assumptions? And what do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39481,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"[et_pb_section bb_built=\"1\" custom_padding_last_edited=\"on|desktop\" _builder_version=\"3.22.2\" custom_padding=\"|90px||90px\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" inner_width=\"auto\" inner_max_width=\"none\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/german-tax-return-feature.jpg\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"3.22.6\" width=\"65%\" module_alignment=\"center\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" max_width=\"100%\" border_radii=\"on|10px|10px|10px|10px\" \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"3.22.2\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" 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background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_text admin_label=\"intro\" _builder_version=\"3.22.7\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" 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header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\"]\r\n\r\n \r\n\u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Not all workplaces are the same and various factors can affect the culture of an office. As with in your home country, a legal or accountancy practice is probably going to be much more formal and stuffy than a design studio or a tech startup.<\/p>\r\n There are, however, some aspects of German work culture that tend to be typical of most workplaces<\/strong>, regardless of the industry, size of company or its origin.<\/p>\r\n This focusses more on the day-to-day, whereas we cover the topic of business etiquette in Germany<\/a> in another post.<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Prefer to watch a video on this instead? If you enjoy it, please subscribe to us on YouTube<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or like the video, so as more people get to see our content!<\/p>\r\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9QXUw-BhGgc<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n If you're looking for a complete set of articles relating to work & employment in Germany, go ahead and download our FREE ebook<\/strong>, packed full of useful content and advice from industry experts and, erm, us as well!<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2181\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"220\"] [purchase_link id=\"2177\" style=\"button\" color=\"green\" text=\"DOWNLOAD E-BOOK\"] \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Socialising with colleagues outside of work is the exception rather then the norm in Germany. There is a very distinct split between professional and social relationships, which at first may seem cold to an outsider. In reality it's not, rather it reflects a subtle cultural difference that Germans tend to have fewer but closer friendships and don't pursue as many looser acquaintances as Brits and Americans tend to.<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n Need to take a fleet car to go and see a vendor? You'll probably have to take a slip of paper for someone or other to sign. Want to book holiday time? Again, probably paper based. Your payslip? Probably still sent in the post each month. The canteen? Probably still staffed by company employees rather than a specialist catering provider. Which, when you consider how lean German companies are when it comes to manufacturing, just makes the mind boggle.<\/p>\r\n There is more than a grain of truth in the saying, \"if you want to experience German efficiency, go to Switzerland\"!<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n The process in itself is no more or less difficult than completing a tax return in most other developed countries which have complex but well defined tax codes. Those who are more financially savvy should not feel too phased by it. I didn\u2018t feel too daunted when I completed mine for the first time.<\/p>\r\n I paid a tax advisor first time around, and just asked him lots of questions so as I could then figure it out myself the following year using the previous year as an example.<\/p>\r\n I would say that anyone with above average intelligence, who has an orderly filing system and is generally a pretty organised person is capable of submitting their own tax return if your situation is relatively straightforward.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Like most things in Germany, the biggest roadblocks are figuring out what the process is, and then actually completing the task in a foreign language (or finding an expert who can explain the process to you in English).<\/p>\r\n But this last part is actually no longer an issue. There are now options out there which will allow you to submit your taxes online with an interface completely in English.<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_text admin_label=\"\u20ac935 for 15 mins' work?\" _builder_version=\"3.22.6\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\"]\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n You may have seen a recent marketing campaign on Facebook by the website germantaxes.de, which claims that you can get<\/strong>\u00a0a \u20ac935 tax rebate for 15 minutes' work.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Sounds too good to be true, right?<\/p>\r\n Sadly, it is. This is complete and utter bullshit. It would take 15 minutes just to type in all of the necessary information.<\/p>\r\n Yes, they may have an intuitive format and yes, it is much easier than struggling in German with one of the more traditional, clunky software providers out there which are aimed more at the German market. The reality is it will most likely take you 2 or 3 hours if you want to double check everything and submit your tax return properly.<\/p>\r\n Next, let's look at the claim that you'll get \u20ac935 back for your \"15 minutes\" of work. This may be the average figure that people get back as a rebate (this is based on figures from the German Federal Office of Statistics) but then think about how this is calculated. For every high net worth individual who receives several thousand Euro back on his\/her tax return, this skews the figures higher.<\/p>\r\n How many people do you need who only receive \u20ac50 back to balance out those who get thousands back in rebates?<\/p>\r\n Therefore I find this figure to be misleading and a false flag for anyone who is expecting a nice, chunky windfall. Also, germantaxes.de is \u20ac10 more expensive than SteuerGo.de<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_image admin_label=\"IMAGE - wallet\" src=\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/german-tax-return-image.jpg\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"3.22.6\" width=\"80%\" module_alignment=\"center\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_text admin_label=\"Cheapest Solution - SteuerGo\" _builder_version=\"3.22.6\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\"]\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n We are happy to recommend SteuerGo.de - The easy way to do your tax return in Germany<\/a>\u00a0as a great, online product which offers a very similar service but without the misleading claims.\u00a0<\/p>\r\nA 12-Step Guide to Surviving German Work Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Taking sick leave for minor ailments is normal<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Complaining about the office temperature is a national pastime<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/56162a32f33f01f4c872c5bcf522fe17.png\")
<\/a>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/scarves-indoors-min.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ width=”45%” width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” z_index_tablet=”500″ border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px”]<\/p>\n3. Office dress code is different<\/strong><\/h3>\n
4. Get used to early mornings<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. The workplace is more formal<\/strong><\/h3>\n
6. Open plan offices are much less common<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. The office is for work, not to make small talk<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Job Seekers – Boost your chances of success!<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/26515a60cafd70ab06e84b3f80bc9797-1.gif\")
<\/a>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#8″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n8. Don’t expect to be invited for after work drinks<\/strong><\/h3>\n
9. Kiss goodbye to reading emails on holiday<\/strong><\/h3>\n
10. German efficiency is a myth<\/strong><\/h3>\n
11. Be Punctual<\/strong><\/h3>\n
12. Flexible, agile career paths are less common<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Looking for helpful content on another topic?<\/h4>\n
A 12-Step Guide To Surviving German Work Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
![\"work](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Cover-Tips-For-Finding-A-Job-3D-220x300.png\")
<\/a> Tips & Advice For Employment In Germany[\/caption]\r\n
\r\n\u00a0<\/p>\r\n1. Taking sick leave for minor ailments is normal<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"sick](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/sick-leave-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Us Brits like to think of ourselves as quite a hardy bunch. We go out in t-shirts at the first sign of Spring, and more often than not, we also go into the office when we have a cold (or, ahem, if we're nursing a hangover!). Not the Germans. The slightest hint of flu-like symptoms and they're banging down the doctor's door demanding a sick note for a week off work. The average German visits the doctor 18 times a year<\/a>. I don't think I've seen mine 18 times since I moved here 10 years ago. In fairness though, they don't have a habit of going out for beers on a \"school night\" either, so it probably evens itself out.<\/p>\r\n2. Complaining about the office temperature is a national pastime<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"office](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/office-temperature-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>If the British love to make unnecessary small talk about the weather, then the Germans must be world champions for complaining about the office ambient temperature. Oh, and they all seem to be convinced that a slight draft from the open window on an otherwise pleasant Spring day is going to make them catch a cold. In the middle of Summer, when most men are sweating buckets in the office having to wear trousers and closed shoes, you can guarantee that a female member of staff in a light blouse and open shoes will berate you for wanting the air con turned up or the windows open. My survival trick was threatening to wear bathing shorts to the office the next day.<\/p>\r\n3. Scarves are routinely worn indoors<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"scarves](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/scarves-indoors-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Following on from the above, the sensitivity to draught extends to the need to wear a scarf in an office, where typically, the temperature is around 20 degrees. You're sat reading emails, not hiking in the Alps for crying out loud. This includes men too, which I just find odd. I guess these are the same sort of blokes who would wear gloves in the Winter playing football. These guys would be ridiculed in any British office! Whilst on the topic of clothing in general, it is also worth noting that the dress code in German workplace culture definitely tends to be less formal than in the UK, and slightly less so than in the States. Smart jeans and polo shirts are quite normal for men, and women generally don't wear heels.<\/p>\r\n4. They start work really early<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"early](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/early-mornings-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>This tends to be more common in a manufacturing environment rather than pure service industries but there is nonetheless a culture of very early mornings in Germany. My theory on this is that it stems from them starting school at 7:30 in the morning and are thus used to getting out of bed at an ungodly hour from a very early age. A lot of Germans with families drop the kids at school on the way to work, so 7:30 starts seem fairly normal to them. I also know Germans without families who routinely start work much earlier than this. Being in the office at 6:30 here is not considered at all strange. The upside of this, if you're a morning person, is that ergo, leaving the office at 15:00 is also not considered skiving off (well, unless you start at 9:00!). This is great on warm Summer days, as it gives the opportunity to go to the outdoor pool or the lake, or just go and relax in the park before enjoying your evening.<\/p>\r\n5. The workplace is more formal<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"regimented\"](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/regimented-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>In a lot of instances, German colleagues will address each other formally as Herr and Frau X, even if they have sat in the same office or along the same corridor as each other for several years. Also, they love their titles. Not as much as the Austrians and Italians do for sure, but much more so than a British or American workplace. If someone has a doctor title, he\/she will most likely use it and expect to be addressed by it. Whilst this is still fairly commonplace, it is starting to become more obsolete amongst the younger generation and certainly is more rooted in traditional industries, the public sector and small to mid-size German companies. In tech, design and more hip industries, as well as in most large non-German multinational companies, they tend to instil a much flatter hierarchy and the Du and Sie (informal and formal types of \"you\" for those who don't know) conundrum when accosting new colleagues has in most cases died out.<\/p>\r\n6. Open plan offices are much less common<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"grossraumb\u00fcro\"](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/grossraumb\u00fcro-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Germans like their privacy and one of the ways this is exemplified in the German work culture is that you don't come across as many open plan \/ cubicle type office spaces as you see back home. The upside of this is you'll get more work done, as you're much less likely to be disturbed by a colleague passing by on his way back from the coffee machine or to be distracted by other people's phone conversations. The obvious downside is that it makes the workplace feel much less sociable.<\/p>\r\n7. The office is for work, not to make small talk<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"all](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/all-work-no-play-300x226.png\")
<\/a>Following on from point 6, Germans tend to knuckle down and get their work done when they are in the office. Statistically they are much more productive during their working day than the average British person. On average the Germans work 1.5 hours per week less<\/a> than\u00a0the British. However, productivity per capita is higher<\/a>. It is too easy and\u00a0simplistic to say that this is uniquely down to them not spending work time on Facebook or chatting to colleagues about last night's TV. Nevertheless, there is more than a grain of truth in the assertion that by not spending time on small talk next to the kitchenette, more actual work tends to get done. The flip side of this is that German workplaces can often seem quite stiff, humourless places.<\/p>\r\n8. Don't expect to be invited for an after-work beer<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"work](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/work-socials-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>I see the merits of this to some extent, in the sense that introverts and private individuals do not feel forced to partake in work socials, which are usually arranged in the evenings. I can't help but thinking though that a couple of drinks with colleagues in your team, even your boss, often goes a long way to smoothen the on-boarding process. The \"watch out for colleague X from department Y, he can be a stubborn little shit\" or \"the VP's Assistant is the Sales Director's girlfriend\" kind of conversations tend to happen outside of work but are nonetheless important to understand what alliances and politics are the driving forces in the office.<\/p>\r\n9. Kiss goodbye to reading emails on holiday and at weekends<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"holiday](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/holiday-is-holiday-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Linked to the above, this is another example of how Germans like to draw a firm line between work and play. Now I'm not saying you'll never, ever get a phone call when you're on the beach, especially if you are in a senior position. However, free time and vacation is respected by employers, colleagues and bosses alike in Germany and you are perfectly within your rights to put on your out-of-office that email is not being read and don't call my mobile phone unless it is urgent. Some large German companies, for example Daimler, even have formal HR policies which say that all email received during vacation time can\u00a0be deleted<\/a> or filed unread. I love that attitude and am firmly of the belief that nothing is that urgent that it can't wait until Monday morning or when you return. If a manager thinks you are so indispensable that his or her department can't function properly without you there, something is seriously wrong with their leadership or team structure.<\/p>\r\n10. German efficiency is a myth<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"german](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/german-inefficiency-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Well, kind of. Let me put the record straight. German companies are extremely efficient at manufacturing, and also excel at planning and logistics. On the other hand, they seem to be champions at creating work for work's sake when it comes to any sort of administrative task. Support functions such as HR and IT departments from my personal experience are notoriously bureaucratic and inefficient. Many internal procedures and processes are paper-based and admin heavy.<\/p>\r\n11. Be Punctual<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"swanky](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/swanky-office-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>10 years on and I am still hopeless at getting to meetings on time<\/a>. So much so that I set my watch 10 minutes fast but it still doesn't help. It's one part of my Englishness which will never die. In a\u00a0British company, the early birds\u00a0will get to a meeting on the hour, chat about football, have a bit of friendly banter,\u00a0talk about what they did at the weekend, have a moan with each other about their kids, wives, husbands, the weather, politics etc and then about 10 past probably start the meeting. The Italians will only start turning up at around quarter-past. And then they all have to get coffee and talk loudly for a while before commencing. The Germans, on the other hand, are all there 5 minutes early, sat in silence except for asking each other if they would like coffee, and slowly\u00a0becoming\u00a0impatient and agitated if the meeting does not start dead on the hour.<\/p>\r\n12. Flexible, agile career paths are less common<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![\"one](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/one-way-career-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>In Anglo-American firms, it is quite common for employee career development to be centred around gaining as much experience as quickly as possible, through holding different positions in various departments throughout the organisation. German work culture differs in that professional development tends to centre around somebody becoming a subject matter expert in one particular area. Indeed, it is not uncommon for staff to have been in the same job for 10 years or more and to further their career through academic qualifications in that field. This reflects the more conservative culture in general in German workplaces and has both its advantages and disadvantages, namely the strong subject matter expertise versus less \"outsider\" penetration to a given department or function and the associated willingness to think outside the box and to question long-standing norms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_video admin_label=\"YouTube Video German Work Culture\" _builder_version=\"3.22.7\" src=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9QXUw-BhGgc\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_text admin_label=\"#1\" 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text_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\"]\r\n\r\nSo Is It Difficult To Do My Own Taxes?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
\u20ac935 back for 15 minutes' work? Erm...no.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
Your Cheapest Solution To Submit A Tax Return In English<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
![](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/c71df24045cfddab4a963d3ac9bdc9a3-49.gif\")
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”#8″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n![\"SteuerGo.de\"](\"https:\/\/liveworkgermany.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/a8920f6d3807a96e1b7e00a019694b53.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"3.22\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" width=\"80%\" max_width=\"1080px\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\"][et_pb_text admin_label=\"Lohnsteuerverein\" _builder_version=\"3.22.6\" z_index_tablet=\"500\" text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" text_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" link_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\" header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=\"header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93\"]\r\n\r\n