Workplace culture consists of the attitudes, behaviors, and actions considered acceptable. It includes how you greet others, the clothes you wear, appropriate topics of conversation, and more. This article explores the canadian work culture. Canada is the second largest country in the world. And it is an astonishing place to live and work! It is also an expanding country, friendly to foreigners, and full of opportunities.
As a newcomer, you might find Canadian work culture different from your home country’s. Practices like using personal names, communicating with co-workers and supervisors, and shaking hands vary greatly amongst cultures. While Canadian work environments vary depending on the employer and the type of job, basic professional etiquette is common in most Canadian workplaces. Learning these rules is an important step in looking for and keeping a job.
Communication Basics
According to numerous sources, Canadian workplaces are usually very casual. People mostly address each other by first name, even when one addresses a manager or a supervisor. However, there are exceptions to this in formal settings or when addressing high-ranking officials. Canadians commonly exchange a firm handshake while greeting, introducing themselves, or confirming an agreement.
They tend to communicate directly, but they also value politeness and diplomacy. Be respectful when expressing your opinions or providing feedback. Active listening is highly appreciated, so allow others to speak and genuinely consider their viewpoints.
Skills
Honing soft skills can be challenging, but they are essential to progress in the Canadian workforce. Soft skills include mindfulness, communication, teamwork, adaptability, time management, and positive attitude and behavior, in the Canadian workplace. Soft skills are as equally important as in the Canadian workforce. Hard skills are the specific skills you need to perform a particular job, such as technical abilities, an accounting diploma, or a carpentry certificate. Sometimes soft skills in some aspects are even more important than hard skills. Soft skills speak to your managerial and advancement potential, which can be more important to your workplace than your other skillsets.
Dress and Appearance
Personal presentation and dressing are imperative in the Canadian Work environment. Make sure you have done your research and know the dress code. But when in doubt, business casual is often a go-to. ‘Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.’ is a common saying in Canada. When dressing for work or an interview, it is common to avoid jeans and shorts and try to dress more conservatively. Every workplace has different policies regarding clothing and personal appearance. When you go for an interview or start a new job it is usually best to dress more formally or conservatively until you learn more about the individual workplace culture and its expectations.
Policies and rules
Every workplace has its own culture. Some standards and expectations may be written in policy manuals. while some values and ways of communicating are unwritten. Often the easiest way to figure out a particular workplace culture is to observe others and to ask.
Written rules are policies and procedures on paper by a company or organization. These rules help everyone understand their work responsibilities and may be found in documents such as a company’s policy manual or Code of Conduct. Generally, written rules include working hours, sick leave, vacation, and employee benefits. These policies guide employees in performing their jobs and relating to their coworkers, supervisors, and managers. If you are working and are not informed of any policy document, ask your employer if one exists in your company or organization. It may be helpful with your adjustment to the new environment.
Punctuality
Canadians place great importance on punctuality, valuing the commitment to being on time for appointments, classes, and social gatherings. Arriving a few minutes early is a sign of respect and demonstrates your dedication to the event. Embracing this cultural value will help you smoothly integrate into Canadian society and reflect positively on your character. Be on time for your shifts; it is habitual to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your duty period. This gives you time to settle, put your stuff away in the break room, and start work at the start time.
Holidays and Leaves
Vacation entitlement varies according to each province/territory, but federal legislation mandates at least two weeks of paid time off for employees after one year of employment, three weeks after five years of employment, and four weeks after ten years of continuous employment. In addition to that, employers sometimes decide to top the statutory time off and as they do, they follow a similar progressive philosophy commonly three to four weeks, often up to six weeks. However, most employers mandate that employees don’t take more than two weeks off at a time.
Paid public holidays, also known as statutory holidays or general holidays, are days throughout the year when most businesses are legislated to close but must still pay eligible employees as though it were a regular workday.
Canada is a great place for immigrants to settle and build a new life. It offers a higher quality of life than most other countries, and even though the cost of living may be higher than what you’re used to, higher salaries and plentiful jobs make up for it. That said, adjusting to a new environment can take time, and you may need to make certain lifestyle changes to make the most of your new country.
