How to work less and do more: the experience of people in Germany
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
We all want to work less and get more done. But how to achieve this? The answer to this question is quite simple and obvious. To verify this, we suggest you familiarize yourself with how the working day in Germany.
Germany - Europe's industrial center, a leading manufacturer of products for export to developing Asian countries. Many people do not know firsthand about the high quality of German engineering.
At the same time, we know that in Germany, work is less than in most other countries (an average of 35 hours per week). So how do the Germans manage to achieve such excellent results?
Working hours = hours, when you really are working
German business culture dictates the following: if the employee is at work, he should not do anything but their job responsibilities. This means no social networking, gossip with colleagues and, of course, good old "I assiduously pretend that it is very busy, but really nothing useful not do."
The absence of foreign occupation while working in Germany is considered the norm, deviation from which is perceived negatively.
In the documentary BBC «Make Me a German"German said about the cultural shock that she experienced, having arrived on the labor exchange in the United Kingdom:
The staff are always talking about his personal life in working hours. Find out who has what the plans for the evening and constantly go to drink coffee.
The woman was very surprised how much work time employees spend on social networks. In Germany banned all access to Facebook in the workplace, but also not allowed to correspond by e-mail on topics not related to work.
Working conversations and meetings are always purposeful
Paying particular attention to the Germans personal meetings. They do not go around the bush and just say what they need. In Germany, you do not say: "It would be great if you could send me stuff tomorrow at 15:00." Instead, you will hear: "The material I need tomorrow at 15:00." Extraneous talk in business meetings, too, are not welcome.
When the Germans are at work, they are focused and attentive to detail. This leads to higher productivity in a shorter period of time.
Life is not confined to the Germans work
Germans work hard, but do not forget a good rest. Because they work hard during the working day to achieve these goals, the non-business hours, they rest and do not think about work plans.
The government is considering whether to a ban on working correspondence after hours.
Since work on the Germans often have formal relations not only with the management, but also with colleagues, employees rarely get together after work. They are generally used to clearly distinguish between business and private life.
In order to pass some time in Germany organize Verein'y (service clubs): travel, music, sports. Thus, the Germans spend their free time not to TVAnd communicating with interesting people.
In Germany, employees are provided long paid holidays: from 25 to 30 days. This means that the company's employees and their families can arrange a good rest, for example, to travel.
Maternity leave
Germany has paid leave for pregnancy, childbirth and child care. In the US, for example, can only dream about such conditions. But in addition to the advantages there are also disadvantages: employers try to avoid hiring women to work, although the government is actively fighting this negative trend.
Germany can be named one of the top European countries in relation to financial assistance to parents.
Remember: if you are focused on results, at work you have to think only about the working affairs.
Yes, sometimes we just want to chat with colleagues or to sit in social networks during working hours... But, as we see, sometimes you can work less, but better, more interested, and thus have time to do more for less time. You agree or have an opinion on this subject?