Question

Andreas Drauschke and Angie Clark work comparable jobs for comparable pay at department stores in Berlin and suburban Washington, DC. But there is no comparison when it comes to the hours they put in. Mr. Drauschke’s job calls for a 37-hour week with 6 weeks’ annual vacation. His store closes for the weekend at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and stays open one evening each week-a new service in Germany that Mr. Drauschke detests. “I can’t understand that people go shopping at night in America, says the 29-year-old, a supervisor at Karstadt, Germany’s largest department store chain. “Logically speaking, why should someone need to buy a bicycle at 8:20 p.m.?”

            Mrs. Clark works at least 44 hours a week, including evening shifts and frequent Saturdays and Sundays. She often brings paperwork home with her, spends her days off scouting the competition, and never takes more than a week off at a time. “If I took any more, I’d feel like I was losing control,” says the merchandising manager at J.C. Penney.

            While Americans often marvel at German industriousness, a comparison of actual workloads explodes such national stereotypes. In manufacturing, for instance, the weekly U.S. average is 37.7 hours and rising; in Germany, it is 30 hours and has fallen steadily over recent decades.

            The German department store workers also fiercely resist any incursions on their leisure hours, while many J.C. Penney employees work second jobs and rack up 60 hours a week. Long and irregular hours come at a price, however. Staff turnover at the German store is negligible; at J.C. Penney, it is 40% a year. Germans serve apprenticeships of 2 to 3 years and know their wares inside out. Workers at J.C. Penney receive training of 2 to 3 days. And it is economic necessity, more than any devotion to work for its own sake that appears to motivate most of the American employees.

            Mr. Drauschke has a much different view: Work hard when you’re on the job and get out as fast as you can. A passionate gardener with a wife and young child, he has no interest in working beyond the 37 hours his contract mandates, even if it means more money. “Free time can’t be paid for,” he says.

            The desire to keep hours short is an obsession in Germany-and a constant mission of its powerful unions. When Germany introduced Thursday night shopping in 1989, retail workers went on strike. And Mr. Drauschke finds it hard to staff the extra 2 hours on strike. And Mr. Drauschke finds it hard to staff the extra 2 hours on Thursday evening, even though the late shift is rewarded with an hour less overall on the job.

            Mr. Drauschke, like other Germans, also finds the American habit of taking a second job inconceivable. “I already get home at 7. When should I work?” he asks. As for vacations, it is illegal-yes, illegal-for Germans to work at other jobs during vacations, a time that “is strictly for recovering,” Mr. Drauschke explains.

            At J.C. Penney, Mrs. Clark begins the workday at 8 a.m. Though the store doesn’t open until 10 a.m., she feels she needs the extra time to check floor displays and schedules. Most of the sales staff clock in at about 9 a.m. to set up registers and restock shelves-a sharp contrast to Karstadt, where salespeople come in just moments before the shop opens.

Answer the following questions:

a. How does the work culture in the U.S. differ from that in Germany?

b. What do you see as the basic advantages and disadvantages of each system? Look at this from both the perspective of the employer and the individual worker.

Answer 1

The case examines the difference in work ethic between American Department Store Employee and German Department Store employee

[1] Ways in which work culture in the U.S. contrast from that in Germany are –

[A] In U.S. Americans work for longer hours i.e. Clarks works at least for 44 hours a week, and takes off only a week vacation each year.

In contrast with Germany, German individuals works for fewer hours i.e. Drauschke works just for 37 hours and receives six weeks’ vacation each year hours a week.

[B] American HR administrators invest less energy both in enrolling and selecting supervisors and setting them up for their employments. As, an outcome, turnover is extremely high in the U.S. when contrasted with their German counterparts.

[C] In the U.S contingent upon the workplace and the people who run it, agendas are regularly a guide that doesn't need to be absolutely pursued. Individuals in the working environment address each other as companions, utilizing first names, nicknames, and discussing each other's close to personnel lives

In contrast with Germany, German individuals are incredibly formal. In the event that a store event is set to begin at a specific time, it will begin around then, regardless of what number of participants are there or not. In all actuality, most participants will likely be there, all set since they are similarly as formal. Germans adhere to the agendas made for their events.

[D] In U.S. Americans will, in general, be loose about work, visiting a great deal, sending instant messages, surfing the Internet, etc. They believe more in socialization.

Contrast with Germany, German individuals for the most part esteem on compartmentalization which incorporates -

[1] Lack of casual banter in workspaces. [2] Shorter and increasingly casual chitchat periods toward the start of any store event.

[2] The U.S. Work System

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Employer Perspective The work environment has control over the time schedule and employers boost workers' morale to work for longer hours.	Employer Perspective American HR administrators invest less energy both in enrolling and selecting supervisors and setting them up for their employments. As, an outcome, turnover is extremely high in the U.S.
Individual Worker Perspective Workers believe more in socialization i.e. addressing each other as companions, utilizing first names, nicknames, and discussing each other's close to personnel lives	Individual Worker Perspective [1]Workers are regularly treated as slaves, particularly in the service industry i.e. 44 hours work a week. [2] Only weekly holidays are provided,

The Germany Work System

ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Employer Perspective German HR administrators invest more energy both in enrolling and selecting supervisors and setting them up for their employments. As, a result, turnover is very less or negligible in Germany.	Employer Perspective [1] Lack of casual banter in workspaces. [2] Shorter and increasingly casual chitchat periods toward the start of any store event.
Individual Worker Perspective Works for fewer hours and receives six weeks’ vacation each year hours a week.	Individual Worker Perspective Limitation faced by workers regarding second jobs similar to an interruption in a person's private life.