In an era of skilled labour shortages and increasing globalisation, many , often in combination with remote teams. These international professionals not only bring valuable skills but also enrich cultural diversity in the workplace. To create a better working atmosphere and increase performance, however, it is important for international professionals to understand German work culture.

. Though stories about cultural misunderstandings make for great topics during after-work pub sessions, they also lead to irritation or even conflicts. That’s why it is better to navigate any possible pitfalls. This will increase your work performance and satisfaction.

German companies generally value efficiency, punctuality and a structured approach. These characteristics are reflected in various aspects of daily work life: Germans not only attach importance to strict adherence to schedules and deadlines – you will also find that most German companies are highly structured, with well-planned workflows. This includes clearly assigning duties and responsibilities. Communication is often more direct and formal than in other cultures. Direct feedback, titles and forms of address play an important role.

Top-down hierarchy

The hierarchy in German companies is usually clearly defined and vertical in structure. Titles and formality play an important role. It is common to address colleagues and supervisors by their title and last name, especially in formal situations. So rather than calling Dr Andrea Schreiber simply Frau Schreiber, you should expect to address her as Frau Dr Schreiber, unless she offers you an alternate form of address.

Decisions are typically passed down from the top, and every employee knows their role and responsibilities within the hierarchy. Decision-making processes are thorough and involve multiple levels of approval. This results in decisions taking longer, but ultimately, they are well thought out.

Lourdes, an engineer from Spain, works for example at a German mechanical engineering company. After submitting a project proposal, she was puzzled by how long it took to reach a decision. She wondered if her proposal might have been poorly received. In fact, it just underwent a comprehensive review process. It first passed through her department supervisor, was thoroughly evaluated and adjusted multiple times, and then progressed to the department head and management, where it was ultimately deemed valid.

It is helpful to understand and respect the hierarchical structures. If you start working for a German company, familiarise yourself with an organisational chart and also pay attention to "hidden hierarchies". Be patient if some ideas, suggestions and questions take longer.

Direct communication style

Germans are known for the direct and clear way they communicate. They often say exactly what they mean, without beating around the bush or using polite phrases. This can seem unusual or even rude to people from cultures that communicate more indirectly. Germans, however, appreciate their feedback culture for its openness and honesty. Criticism is expressed directly and seen as a constructive means of improvement, not as a personal attack.

John, an American marketing specialist working for a German automobile company, was a bit taken aback when he received direct, critical feedback from a colleague after he had presented a new marketing campaign. He wondered if his team member was upset with him. However, right after the meeting, the team went to lunch together and John had a nice casual talk with his colleague. So he understood that the feedback was not in any way a personal attack.

If you want to succeed in a German workplace, you should yourself if you have specific expectations of your colleagues. Instead of saying "It would be really great to get support here,” you should be as concrete as possible. Don’t hesitate to express what you want directly, like in this example: "I need support with the project. Can you work with me on it for an hour on Wednesday or Friday this week?"

Good work-life balance

. Typical working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, with overtime being more the exception than the rule. Adherence to working hours is strictly observed unless there is a so-called “Gleitzeit” – flexitime – arrangement. This means that working hours are flexible to a certain extent, especially if you work from home.

Working from home and flexitime options are increasingly common in German companies in an attempt to meet employees’ needs and improve their work-life balance. However, you will still find companies where being physically present at the office is highly valued and considered essential for maintaining team cohesion and productivity. These companies may believe that face-to-face interactions foster better communication and collaboration, and that physical presence at the office helps build a stronger company culture.

Depending on the company you work for, you may have the opportunity to engage in work-life blending at after-work events, company sports (Betriebssport) or company outings (Betriebsausflug). This has the advantage of enabling you also to forge important social contacts at work – and become more easily integrated into your new environment.

Does all this sound a bit challenging? Well, it is. , too. German employees are entitled to at least 24 days’ leave per year, for example – and are often given even more. You can usually count on 30 days of holiday. Doesn't that sound tempting?