Cultural code

In the United Kingdom, offices are functional and impersonal. Office buildings, which are often multi-storey structures, are primarily considered as investments. In open space offices, density is generally high, with workers having to make do with between 4 and 5 square metres each. The British have a very detached attitude to space. Employees tend to settle down to work at the first desk that becomes available. No one worries if someone else has taken “their” place. In fact, work stations are shared by between six and ten people. Heads executives do not always have their own, private office. “Short-term, results-first culture emphasises objectives-based management and governs the way in which employees are paid,” says Catherine Gall, Director of Economic Forecasting at Steelcase, one of the world’s leading office furniture manufacturers.
Office space in the UK could be more attractive: individual offices are small, old and cramped, while their open space counterparts are the biggest in Europe, frequently accommodating a hundred people or more. Employees often wear MP3 headphones to drown out the sound of their neighbours. The rituals are dehumanizing. Turnover is high. Employees are continually on the lookout for new jobs. Not surprisingly, the telecommuting sector is highly developed in the UK, a palliative, perhaps, to the fact that British employees travel further to and from their place of work and put in more hours (43 per week) when they get there than any of their European counterparts.

The Netherlands: all for one and everyone for themselves. Often considered to bear a number of similarities to the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands fosters an egalitarian, autonomous and pragmatic culture. Reflecting this approach, the country’s offices tend to be open space with shared work stations combing comfort and efficiency with a concern for sustainable development: good air quality within the office, efficient ventilation systems, and natural light. open space offices are relatively small. “Workers help each other spontaneously. Not out of affection but for pragmatic
reasons. They are not effusive or prone to emotional displays. Everything is understated,” says Mrs Gall. “People work a 33 hour week and there is a clear demarcation between professional and private life. For example, breakfast and dinner are sacred family moments.” In line with this attitude, executive offices are not located on a symbolically higher floor and are laid out in a similar way to those of ordinary employees.

Germany: leading the way in Europe. As in the Netherlands, German office buildings are relatively small. The Germans are not keen on lifts and other mechanised devices. They prefer to be close to nature. Consequently, like their Dutch neighbours, they tend to opt for smaller facilities. Light is all important. “Above all, the notion of individual space is sacred. As in the general habitat. Closed doors should stay closed. It’s an unequivocal sign that the person or people in the room must not be disturbed. The Germans feel a real need for living space,” says Catherine Gall. “Employees are loyal to their companies. They are committed and want to stay. Organisations are highly structured, but there is relatively little in the way of hierarchy. There’s a harmonious atmosphere.” German offices are the best equipped in Europe, with top quality lighting, acoustics and furniture. Executive offices have windows on two sides. Individual offices are still a common feature.

France: towards the open space office. French office spaces are characterised by a number of paradoxes. Employees are caught between their desire for individual freedom and their respect for hierarchy, between career and family, tradition and innovation. Work is seen as a source of fulfilment; indeed, the French are, typically, very assiduous at work.
But they’re never happy. Critical but respectful, French people habitually pay homage to the boss while at the same time finding it hard to accept order and discipline. Although they enjoy debating the issues and display a high degree of creativity and resourcefulness, they are recalcitrant about change. Companies wishing to delocalise their operations thus generally employ consultancy firms to provide professional aid and advice. Due to office real estate prices, however, such change is increasingly viewed as inevitable. And, with it comes a decrease in the amount of space allocated to individual employees (7-10 square metres), with open space offices becoming the order of the day. Tired of working hard while not receiving the benefits which they feel they deserve, French workers are becoming less emotional and more individualistic.