European employees are concerned about the influence of American culture in their workplaces, according to an employee survey conducted among employees from the UK, France Germany Italy and Spain.
According to the research conducted by career platform Zety there are widespread concerns about long-term effects of U.S. corporate practices on European standards for employment, wellbeing at work and employee autonomy.
According to the survey, 86 per cent of respondents think that U.S. corporate standards are influencing European employer’s more than previous years. 83 per cent are particularly concerned about high-profile figures in the Trump administration such as Elon Musk having a negative impact on their country’s workplace culture.
Growing apprehension
Workers are increasingly concerned that adopting American-style policies will undermine key employment protections. The top concerns include threats to the work-life equilibrium, increased workplace monitoring, a drive to reduce holiday entitlements, and a growing pressure to return to offices.
Nearly four out of five people (78%) are concerned that the long-standing European labour standards could be undermined. 76 percent believe that a “always on” work culture will be detrimental to mental health.
Many respondents indicated that they would personally take action if such changes were made at their workplace. Over a third of respondents (34%) stated that they would immediately look for a different job if their workplace adopted practices like longer hours, less holidays, or weekly productivity reporting.
Concerns over legal protections, job security and other concerns
The results show that European workers are very keen to remain independent from corporate influence in the United States. 95 percent of respondents said that European labour laws should remain autonomous. 59 percent stated it as a priority. In response to an increasing number of Americans adopting American workplace policies, 68% of those surveyed are in favor of strengthening labour laws in Europe.
Financial concerns are also present. As the U.S. economic situation is uncertain, 71 per cent of respondents are concerned about their job security. Concerns about job security and redundancy in the tech and corporate sectors were also raised, with 33 per cent citing layoffs as a major issue.
The most common concerns were surveillance and tracking. 34 percent of respondents expressed discomfort with the increased monitoring of productivity. Another 43 percent said that the ” hustle-culture ” and long hours were their biggest concern. Another 30 percent of respondents expressed concern about the impact artificial intelligence and automation would have on job security.
The survey also highlighted the importance of remote work policies. One fifth of employees (20%) expressed concern about the increasing pressure to return to the office and the reduced remote working options. Some view this trend, which is linked to U.S. corporate practice, as a threat against work-life balance, and employee well-being.
Mental health and motivation in times of stress
Most respondents expected a negative result when asked about the impact of a shift to American work culture. Sixty-six per cent said that a shift to American-style work norms would negatively affect their mental health. Just 48 percent of respondents said they would leave their job if workplace culture changes significantly affected their work-life harmony.
Despite perceived benefits, the majority of respondents expressed little interest in adopting American workplace ideals. 42 percent of respondents cited higher pay and performance-based incentives as appealing aspects of American culture. Beyond compensation, however, enthusiasm was limited. Only 27 percent of respondents found U.S. jobs in innovative industries appealing, and only 24 percent appreciated entrepreneurialism. Even lower, 22 percent, cited personal achievement as something they admire.
The results show that, while certain aspects of American corporate practices may be financially appealing, the American work ethic is in conflict with the values and expectations of many European professionals. These findings could prompt HR teams in companies to reconsider how they integrate global trends into their workplace culture. This is especially important as employers navigate cross-border influences, and changing expectations of their employees.
