Culture gap: differences between German and British offices revealed

With a work ethic which has perplexed the rest of Europe for decades, Germans are highly regarded around the world for their supposed workplace efficiency. With Sauerkraut recently being named a superfood, potentially it’s a dietary thing.

On a more serious note, it’s worth asking what actually does fuel German workers to produce more than their European neighbours, whilst still taking more sick days and holidays?

According to a BBC report, German workplace vernacular could helps us understand their perfect balance between work and play. For example, Brückentage, or ‘bridge days’, means to take time off around bank holidays. Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung, the composite of the German words for ‘work’ and ‘inability’ and ‘certificate’, is one way to bag yourself a sick day – no questions asked.

Another common expression, such as ‘Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen!’ - translates as ‘first work, then pleasure’.