work culture

AMERICAWORK CULTURE

Office EnvironmentWork environment is both professional and causal as well.

Don’t be surprised if you see people bring their pets to work!

The work culture and dress code here are different than in India. Schedules are flexible, and the atmosphere is informal.

Office EnvironmentInformal and there is no apparent hierarchy

between managers and their subordinates. Employees are treated as equals, and independent views are welcomed.

Address your boss, supervisor, manager, director or even the president of the company with his/her first name. Do not call them boss or sir.

You address strangers as sir, like customer service representatives do with their customers or to people like police officers.

Meetings Meetings may not necessarily be for making big decisions and may be held for talking about small decisions and planning. Inputs from every relevant individual are taken into account and valued before an appropriate decision is made.

You should be a good listener during the meetings and should not interrupt the speaker. You will be given your chance to speak.

If you don’t understand something, ask for clarifications. If your answer is “yes” say clearly “yes.” If your answer is “no” say clearly “no.”

Nodding your head from side to side or upside down is very confusing.

Work HoursWorking hours are flexible as far as IT

companies are concerned. Normal office timings go from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

If you are a contractor, you need to maintain minimum of 8 hours per day or 40 hours a week. Results matter more than anything.

You must be able to deliver on demand and deadline.

Few IT companies allow telecommuting, where and employee can work from home, as and when required.

Americans are very particular about time-management. They come to office early and leave on time. You will rarely find them working late hours or on weekends. They have their weekends pre-planned and value their privacy.

DRESS CODEDress codes may vary widely. Formals, semi-formal dressing is seen. A pair of jeans to work is very common. Some places institute a casual dress code on Fridays as compared to other days.

American Behavior Generally, Americans are very polite, friendly,

and helpful but have patience with interference in their personal lives.

You may find it difficult to discuss everything with your American friend, at least, when you are getting to know each other.

Exercising is important and they usually go for aerobics, swimming, tennis or a jog few times during the week.

Don’t be surprised if complete strangers greet you. Be polite and greet them back.

DO’SAt work or elsewhere while talking, if

you want to say yes, just say YES. Do not nod your head!

Never ever talk in your native language in presence of an American.

When you are going to smoke, don’t say “I am going out for a fag.” Always take permission to smoke.

Don’t call a black person “Negro” or anything else; it’s always good to call them “African American.” Also, don’t call American Indians as Red Indians, they get offended. Call them “Native Americans” or “American Indians.”

US HOLIDAYS1st January New Year’s EveJanuary (Third Monday) Martin Luther King DayFebruary (Third Monday) President’s DayMay (Last Monday) Memorial Day4th of July Independence DaySeptember (First Monday)

Labor Day

October (First Monday) Columbus Day11th November Veteran’s DayNovember (Fourth Thursday)

Thanksgiving Day

25th December Christmas

Don’ts Don't say "The Phone was engaged", as

engaged means getting engaged. Instead say "There was a busy tone".

Don't say "I'll ring you back." or "I'll give you a ring later". Here ring is the engagement ring, rather say "I'll call you, or buzz you".

Don’tsDon't offer chewing gum, or a breath

freshener to others. It gives them a message that they have a bad breath. Your intention may not be that, but it is easily mistaken.

Don't walk/sit with arms around the shoulders, or too close of anybody

Table MannersAmericans try to eat neatly, without

making a lot of noise.

If something on the table is out of their reach, they politely ask someone to pass it to them.

Table MannersFood should be lifted up to the mouth. Do not bend over to eat it. Sit up as straight as you can without being uncomfortable. Do not talk with your mouth full.

Accepting Compliments

If someone pays you a compliment, do not protest or deny the truth of the statement (as is required in many other cultures). Accept the compliment graciously and with thanks.