European workers aren't chuffed with US-style management practices
PARIS : Flexibility at all costs, productivity as a guiding principle, and employees always on hand – US-style management, long seen as a model of efficiency, now seems divisive.
Behind the promises of performance and responsiveness, more and more voices are being raised to denounce practices deemed too intrusive and incompatible with worker expectations in Europe.
And while this research is focused on the Old Continent, it serves as a reminder for organisations worldwide that the adoption of management models from elsewhere cannot be undertaken without prior reflection.
So, what exactly is 'American-style management'? It's based on individual performance, increased monitoring, long working hours, low tolerance for absenteeism, and a culture of urgency. While some see it as a way of boosting responsiveness and initiative, others see it as a direct threat to well-being at work.
A survey conducted by recruitment platform Zety reveals that 86% of the 1,000 French, British, Spanish, Italian and German employees questioned believe the influence of US corporate culture has intensified in Europe. And for many, this isn't the right direction.
Close to eight out of 10 respondents fear the adoption of US management practices will lead to a weakening of labour laws, fewer vacations, and a deterioration in work-life balance.
America's 'always-on' work culture is of particular concern: 76% of employees believe it would be detrimental to their mental health.
Different perceptions of work
Workers in Europe do not welcome this gradual shift. For 68% of them, there is an urgent need to strengthen social safeguards to prevent any abusive practices.
Some 20% of survey respondents look unfavourably upon the push to return to the office. (Envato Elements pic)
A third are worried about increased surveillance in the office and constant monitoring of productivity, while one in five are concerned about possible reductions in remote working. These reflect a lack of confidence in a model perceived as too intrusive.
At the heart of the matter lies a different vision of work. Indeed, 95% of employees emphasise the importance of keeping European labour laws independent of US corporate influence, while 59% feel that protecting labour laws from this influence must become a priority.
When it comes to the details, there are very concrete trends around which fears are centred: 43% worry about widespread emphasis on long working hours and the cult of performance; 33% fear waves of mass layoffs in tech; 30% point to the impact of AI on employment; and 20% take a dim view of the push to return to the office.
In a strong sign, 48% of workers surveyed said they might go so far as to quit their jobs if their work-life balance were compromised by such practices. This figure highlights the growing reluctance to import management methods considered too exacting.
It's a wake-up call for companies that may be looking to Silicon Valley for inspiration, without taking local expectations into account. The ability to switch off, and respect for personal time, appear to be lines employees elsewhere do not want crossed.
Despite this, certain aspects of the US model still hold a certain appeal. For example, higher salaries and merit-based bonuses, cited by 42% of those surveyed, remain incentives. Just over a quarter also point to the prospects offered by innovative sectors, which are seen as promising and stimulating.
But these economic incentives are not enough to mask a profound difference in values. Individual success – which is at the heart of US corporate culture – holds less appeal, for instance.
Only 22% of those surveyed favoured this focus on individual achievement, reflecting a certain attachment to a different relationship with work, based on solidarity, life balance, and teamwork.
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