Every country has its own way of saying things. The working culture in France is guided by principles of hierarchy, traditions and attention to detail. For further information please see below: Frances health and social security system covers all employees. The proportion of managers who encounter issues related to religion at work rose sharply between 2013 and 2016, from 40% to 64%. So positive feedback is given less frequently, and when it's given it's given much less strongly.". Box 115, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276 Tel (212) 2777-5553. Expats are often attracted by the perks of the French working world, which include a 35-hour workweek, plenty of holiday time and early retirement. They go off; they have a full meal at a restaurant with multiple courses and wine. "There's this very strong focus in the French person's mind that, before you come to a conclusion, you have to talk about all of this theory, all of these concepts, all of this philosophy. While many have now returned back to their offices with new protocols such as social distancing, Plexiglas dividers and masks in place, opinions are split over the efficiency of working from home. However, as always, it depends where the organization is located, for example the long lunch break is unusual in Paris and other bigger cities. It is commonly known in France as the drapeau tricolore (Tri-colour Flag). French people "don't talk about personal information with strangers," Meyer said. She's also the author of the book "The Happiness Track." This free time will allow expats to make the most of working in the country and embrace the French way of life. And he/she usually doesn't leave until 6:30-7:00 pm. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Denim, sweats, and the like are reserved at home or not the streets, not in the office. June 26, 2020 "Work culture is defined as the cumulative effect that leadership practices, employee behavior, workplace amenities, and organizational policies create on a worker/internal stakeholder. France and America at Work: The Same, but Different Many French workers can now eat at their desks without breaking the law. Since online communication has become an integral part of many companies nowadays, the French government put this law in place to help people maintain a work-life balance. Overtime is also less common in French working culture than in other countries. France vs. US: Which work culture is more sustainable? Here are three of the most important French work culture differences: "I think, therefore I discuss" Ren Descartes is familiar to most of us for saying "I think, therefore I am" - but it didn't take long for me to learn that his influence still permeates every corporate conference room in France. It is best to go for well-fitting, high-specification tailored options for both men and women. It can also allow workers to take leave to participate in education or training or to take up an interest, hobby or leisure pursuit. Seppala moved to the US from France when she was admitted to Yale University for college; today she teaches at Yale and Stanford University. Given the difficulty in firing people, you will not be surprised to hear that French companies can take an awfully long time to hire employees. And if it is over the summer months, get ready for an even longer wait. Those feature the Eurostar, which connects Paris to London in just 2h35 and the Thalys going to Brussels and Amsterdam in 1h30 and 4 hours respectively. Work Culture in France. While some companies with a large number of international workers can feel more similar to companies in the UK, it is best to have an understanding of French work culture, as this will make it easier to work with, and do business with, local companies, as well as transition into your new role. This law also carries into French offices. France's workplace culture dress code is business formal, meaning that employees are expected to dress and appear elegant and sophisticated. Wondering what life in France is really like? Retail shops tend to be open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:00. Everything You Need to Know About Working in France - InterNations People living in the US have a hard time detaching from work, Seppala said. But anyone who imagines that all Indian cinema is so innocent was in for a big surprise at this year's Cannes Film Festival. 10 Differences Between French and American Work Cultures Men are usually in suit and ties, while women are expected to dress in conservative dresses or pantsuits. There is no coming into the office to do the year-end closing on a Sunday. It is linked to the east by the vast industrial and urban area stretching from the mouth of the Rhine, which forms the border with Germany, and to the plains of the Po River in the north-west. This number includes over 4 million foreign residents and immigrants who live in France. However, this website will sometimes use cookies in order to utilize specific uses from third-party sites. It's considered socially inappropriate to ask someone what they do for work right off the bat. Finding a job in France is notoriously difficult for foreigners, though. From the famous 35-hour workweek to acknowledgment that French workers have one of the highest productivity in the world, working life in France is not the same as you might expect. 6 differences between English and French culture Work culture in France is heavily influenced by bureaucracy, and as such, simple tasks may take longer than expected. While open space still rules, upper-level managers usually still have individual offices. French Culture - Business Culture Cultural Atlas Most workers are required by French law to spend at least 11 consecutive hours away from work; therefore many employees might only arrive at the office between 9 and 10 am. This is accrued at a rate of 2.5 days leave for every calendar month worked, up to a maximum of 30 days leave. Is France's 'right to disconnect' the best. National Holidays are what many people look forward to in France, Mostly because they don't have to work and go to the office on such days. School education is compulsory in France from 6 to 16 years of age which has resulted in a high adult literacy rate currently standing at 99%. Further in the south, business can feel a little more relaxed in general. French work culture: Doing business in France So as you can imagine, offices are tightly locked up on weekends. 54. Located in Western Europe, it has land boundaries with . Yet French workers are much more likely to take full advantage oftheir time off. Usually, at a first meeting, the more formal Monsieur or Madame titles are used, and then introductions include full names. Keep your hands out of your pockets when in public. Watch this video animation to find out some interesting facts: Business Culture in France is characterised by: business communication, business etiquette, business meeting etiquette, internship and student placements, cost of living, work-life-balance and social media guide. If you are coming from the United Kingdom, you can use the Euro-tunnel to get to France. Consequently French employees have above average leisure time on an average day. Typical discussion topics do not include your wealth showing off your wealth is considered bad taste. There are 11(or 13 in some provinces) national holidays in France. Business communication in France: language matters and business French labor laws: a guide for working expats | Expatica As you can imagine, that lunch which is supposed to be a full meal, and not a quick sandwich, is going to take more than 1/2 an hour. The majority of students attend the Grandes coles of France. For example, wearing of a full head covering veil in public is banned by law whether you are French or not the principle of French lacit states that nobody can show their religion publicly. Along with not working after hours, there are very strict laws on working on Sunday. While company culture will vary from one company to another, it is worth noting that in general the French workplace is quite formal and conservative. "Anybody coming to the US will notice just how here, people are what they do," Seppala said. As with any other country, employees, especially in corporate companies, are expected to look presentable. For example, paying appreciative comments on a colleagues dress or perfume choice could be considered sexual harassment in some countries. One important law is that, for companies with 20 or more employees, they're only allowed 35 hours per week to work. There are a lot of myths about French work culture. In Paris, and to a lesser extent in other major cities, many households do not own a car and simply use the efficient public transport. French workers are coconuts they're hard on the outside, but get softer as you drill deeper. One of the consequences of this has been higher employment rates and increased job sharing. As I mentioned above, the typical work day for a French office worker starts around 9:30am, with a coffee break around 10:30am. Do not address anyone with tu which is the informal term for you use vous instead. ", She added: "French meetings tend to be a lot longer, with a lot more conceptual debate. Hierarchy at work in France | Expat in France Paris has an excellent system of roads, although driving there is not for the faint-hearted. Demography Population at the beginning of the month France: The French style: Culture, politic, mentality and lifestyle, Le Pen calls for ban on veils and skullcaps in public. Several larger stores have longer opening hours on Thursdays for example Galeries Lafayette in Paris tend to open from 9:30 to 21:00 on Thursdays but they close one hour earlier on other days. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The prospect of working in France holds great appeal for expats, particularly in a post-Covid world. As someone who has worked for several years for large corporations in both France and North America, I can tell you that the French business culture can be quite different from American/English cultural norms. Seppala said: "In the US, people drink coffee for caffeine, to wake up and to get more energy. In other words, they take longer than Americans to get to the point. Metros run from 5:30am until 00:30am (after midnight). Regular workers dont count their hours (Eg. Places to go / Paris / Discovering French Culture : Food, Fashion, Traditions, Art and Language Proposed by Rail Europe , Published: 15 January 2021, 18:23, Updated: 18 August 2022, 20:13 Phovoir Atout France Architecture and art in Paris This has to do with French labor law, which not only outlines that French employees should not have lunch at their desks, but also that the employer must provide some sort of restauration and food options. The hustle is real. All taxis have meters, and there are surcharges for trips to the airport, Sunday travel, late hours and baggage. Having a glass of wine with your meal is seen as relatively normal. They are not usually an open forum for ideas, and there is a level of respect for the more senior managers present. Seppala mentioned a 2010 survey that found 89% of French workers use all their vacation days, compared to just 57% of American workers. Access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs in France is excellent. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The French culture is all about conversation. There's also the law entitled the "Right to Disconnect." This differs greatly as compared to other countries, wherein employees are paid twice a month (the first half on the 15th and the second half on the last day of the month). And this is more common in Paris than anywhere else in France. Unless you work for a start-up, the workplace attire is usually formal. Some members of the comit dentreprise will be part of the union, giving them extra leverage. Frances bus system is mostly run by the national railroad, the SNCF, with routes replacing or supplementing the train lines. Especially when it comes to working! Coffee's popular in France, too, but for a different reason. Meyer uses the images of a coconut and a peach to describe the difference between French and American workers. Within the business culture in France there are a number of issues that are considered inappropriate and that you should be aware of in order to avoid insulting your French counterparts and showing disrespect for their views and values: Understanding and respecting these issues will make a significant contribution towards understanding French culture and building and maintaining strong and solid business relationships. American workers are peaches they're soft on the outside, but eventually you hit a hard pit. It will help with business negotiations, as well as day-to-day conversation. If someone asks, "Who are you?" These watercooler moments are important and employees often discuss the days plan, so they should not be skipped. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider They may miss out lunch breaks and take work home. French Corporate Dress Code Business wear tips for women Business wear tips for men 3. [They] kind of close up. Expats willing to move to these less attractive destinations will find many opportunities, even though the area surrounding Parisclaims one of the continents wealthiest and largest regional economies. The selective process involved when students join Grandes coles results in moderate class sizes. Studies by the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggest that France is below the OECD average when it comes to hours worked. Let France enchant you with its enduring charm and undeniable attractiveness, whether you are an art aficionado, a food expert, or a fan of the natural world. Thatsaid, expats in France will also enjoy a 35-hour workweek as well as substantialholiday time throughout the year. If giving out a business card at networking events, consider having one side in French and one side in English. French Work Culture from an American Perspective The work culture in France can be quite different from anglophone cultural norms. Taxis cruise the streets in Paris. Do not criticize Napoleon, since he represents a part of the French spirit. Due to its overseas departments and territories scattered worldwide, France possesses one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in the world, covering over 11,035,000 km2 (4,260,000 miles2). If your industry sector is less formal, or there are dress down days in the office, be aware that this might not be as casual as in the UK. The US is the only industrialized country wherecompanies don't have to offer paid vacation buta study by Project: Time Off found that Americans received about 23 vacation days in 2016. Business attire in France is usually formal. However, for those wishing to enter the French business environment, an understanding of the countrys culture is vital . Le mistral, a cold dry northerly wind blows into the southern region often for days at a time in the winter and spring and comes from La Valle du Rhne near Lyon. Very rarely will you see a company in France hold "casual Fridays." The new arrival will go to the desk of each person and shake hands with a Bonjour, and in the case of a female, may even exchange la bise. It does depend on the area of France you are working in too. Even if it is Friday. This starts as early as the University level and hiring process. Is it difficult to rent an apartment in France with a cat? The top hiring regions are actually Auvergne, Bretagne, Limousin and Pays de la Loire. A very important rule in French dining etiquette is to keep your hands resting on the table, never in your lap. As such, logical reasoning and high levels of analysis are used to guide the culture, which can be seen as slow and procedural. fancier French coffee, well here is a full set of instructions, how work hours are calculated and the typical French work day, several schools called the Grandes Ecoles, New job in France? You'll probably have that relationship for the rest of your career. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. The usual day is from about 9am to 6pm, with a long lunch of anything up to two hours. The longer lunch break accounts for the French custom for bigger lunches. Sabine Landolt and Agathe Laurent: Work culture in the United States is characterized by its flexibility and responsiveness. France is a popular destination for professional expatriates, with many European headquarters based in the major cities of Paris and Lyon. A happy, supportive workplace energises people to come to work each day and boosts mood and concentration. FUSAC (free, bimonthly) contains many classified ads, indispensable if you are looking for a temporary job. Quality and stylish business attire are appreciated. Working hours are generally Monday to Friday from 8am or 9am to 12:00/12:30 and then from 14:00/14:30 to 18:00. Municipal buses in Paris are user-friendly, with well-posted routes. As I mentioned before, French offices tend to be quite hierarchical. If this can be written in French, that will give a better first impression. What Is Work Culture? Definition, Components, Examples, and Best After living in Paris over 10 years, I can tell you all about it! Moving to any new country for work takes a lot of preparation and organisation. This was designed to accommodate the increasing numbers of children who carry on developing themselves through study beyond primary school. And that's definitely true in comparison to France. Seppala said that's because "in France, work is seen as a thing you have to do. Organisations with stronger cultures are generally more successful and have high productivity levels. Its not surprising, then, that a country known for its high fashion has high expectations of clothing in the workplace. These are private establishments and generally specialise in a single subject area such as business. Meanwhile, state-recognized national holidays include Bastille Day (July, 14), Labor Day (May. Meetings are usually arranged well in advance, with plenty of forewarning for all parties; around two weeks notice is expected.