Behaviour to Avoid in the Dutch Workplace
Once you have a job in the Netherlands, the next step is to adapt to the Dutch way of doing business. Depending on your cultural background this will either come as a big shock or a small adjustment to your expectations. It is essential to understand the Dutch workplace, and which behaviour you should avoid, to be successful in your career in the Netherlands. What is clear is that the Dutch take their Nederlandse werkcultuur seriously, with the country having a healthy sense of work-life balance and some of the shortest working weeks in the world.
It is often said that the Dutch “do not work to make friends,” which goes a long way to summarizing the attitudes you may expect in the workplace. Compliments are given sparingly, and polite conversations are treated with suspicion in a professional context. It would, therefore, be best to avoid being overly polite or vague in meetings with colleagues, and instead be more direct, even at the expense of risking offence. Opportunities do exist, however, to better know your colleagues, with socialising relegated to company ‘borrels.’ These are social get-togethers, usually after the workday, in which you can relax and chat with your colleagues about both work and personal topics.
Directness is often a stereotype of the Dutch, but in the workplace, it is very often a rule. Colleagues will criticise your work if it is sub-par, and in turn, they expect you to criticise their work. Failure to do so will lead to them being very disappointed in you. And this is true regardless of whether you are a supervisor or subordinate. Status does not matter so much, nor does age. The Dutch workplace is often egalitarian with a horizontal structure, which may come as a shock to those from cultures in which age provides a measure of authority over younger colleagues, and where status is important.
The Dutch are also very time conscious. It extends to the professional sphere as well. Important business meetings are expected to be planned a few weeks in advance. Hence it would be best to avoid any last minute meeting proposals or changes to a pre-planned schedule, as this would lead to extreme annoyance from colleagues. The Dutch live by their agenda. Punctuality is a virtue, but an apology for being late will usually be accepted. If there is any delay, you should also call with an explanation, rather than assume that they will be okay with it.
The dress code in Dutch businesses is still somewhat conservative, but this can change depending on the industry. Women, particularly the younger generation, may wear trousers. When in doubt about the dress code for a professional event it is always best to be overdressed rather than underdressed. If you are unsure still, it is fine to ask someone from the company what is expected.
In conclusion, there are not many behaviours you need to learn to avoid to flourish in the Dutch working environment. Some awareness of what is expected by your Dutch colleagues can go a long way in helping to prevent any unnecessary confusion or frustration. Understanding that work and play are separate things will help in this respect.
Written by Adam Watson for Together Abroad