tweed_wearer

How does it differ from the British office environment?

Is it more or less formal? How do the hours compare? What is the usual office dress code? Is it common to work from home? Do people tend to socialise after work? Do they drink as much at the Christmas party as the brits do?

By way of context, I work as an in-house lawyer at a big company (outside London)

Almost Canadian

Lawyers believe they are gods here. They treat their support staff like shite and the support staff expect to be treated as if they have no brain at all.

Generally, people don't socialise after work at all. A lunchtime drink is a huge no-no. The dress code will depend upon the company. Generally it is far more laid back which is the reason why nothing gets done.

BristolUK

I've only seen the public facing parts and they seem more relaxed to me.

Especially how receptionists, secretaries, whatever will happily sit there with a cup of coffee - an absolute no-no even in DWP when it used to be fairly relaxed over a decade ago..

Kaye5

I'm a legal sec - sounds like when I worked in London. Different in Edinburgh, though not 100%.

Haven't yet found work as a legal sec (sorry, legal assistant). At moment working in public facing role - and yes they have coffee cups with them, but I don't (yet).

There is socialising, but I would say seems to be for special occasions (like someone leaving). Haven't seen lunchtime drinking and dress seems a bit more casual - smart casual, not jeans.

However, I did have an interview at a local law firm and all the lawyers were in suits.

Overall I would put it on a level with Edinburgh rather than London (not sure about the laid back thing as wherever I've worked, everyone has worked really hard - including where I am now). Haven't noticed that much difference from Edinburgh.

If I do get into a law firm, I'll let you know if they treat me like s***e!

jandro

On the west coast I'd say it's a lot less formal.

Hours I find are longer. 30 minutes for lunch is the norm. In my last position working from home was expected. People don't socialise after work like they do in the UK. I find people will only socialize after work with a few trusted friends from the office. I only went to one Xmas party here and it was a very formal affair held in expensive hotel - like a wedding reception or high school prom with everyone in their best outfits, rented tuxedos etc.

On the other hand the office uniform for some professionals seems to be a ball cap, t-shirt with heavy metal logo, old jeans and trainers. Right now with the warm many wear khaki shorts in the office Monday to Friday. I don't know how it would be in a law firm though.

One little thing I notice is people don't make drinks for their co-workers like I experienced in the UK.

Mikeypm

So no brew run then?

JB0591

I work in an engineering office, so may not be same environment but:

We have brew runs with those that use the kettle. The rest of the team drink coffee and there is a percolator always on the go....so they run in and run out, whilst the hot water brigade wait for the kettle to boil.

I concur with the "dont make drinks for co-workers" comment - i have offered and they look at me like i am mad, although some of us fill each other mugs if left near the kettle. I will also walk someone's drink to them if they have been called away, they cant get their heads around that gesture.

There is a different crowd that does lunch at pub one/twice a week and that crowd will be first to after work drinks. Not done an xmas party but lots of pot luck events and generally they drink and drive more here than i was use to in the UK workplace.

The dress is very informal more often than formal.

I work for a company that's HQ is in Quebec but we are in the Ontario office. There is a lot of QC-vs-On stuff going on. Doesn't help that it is also unionized-vs-non-unionized locations etc etc and each location works on very very different technology.

Siouxie

I worked for a Financial Advisors company and the dress code was formal at all times; suits and ties for men and dress pants (as they call smart trousers here) or skirt with an appropriate top (nothing low cut) and jacket, skirts couldn't be full length; dresses were allowed if 'business' like. Sandals that looked like flipflops were banned and all shoes had to have a small heel.

We used to go for lunch once a month plus a few 'company' social/business promotional events.

Most offices I have been around in Ontario have a smart dress code but they normally have casual Fridays, including government offices. Bank staff are generally smart casual (even the tellers/cashiers).

Agree that, generally, 30 minutes lunch is quite usual and an 8.30 start normal.

orly

In my experience it's very informal but it might just depend on the industry/field.

I worked (until my work permit expired) for a small web design company. Wear whatever you like, listen to your music while working, long lunches on Friday where we'd all go to a local restaurant and chill for a couple of hours. The drinkers would have 1 or 2. On long weekends close early and again some people would have a few drinks and generally chat before heading home. Boss has a Ribs BBQ every summer for the staff and their families.

Hours were standard enough. 8.30-4.30 mon-fri with hour lunch.

All very pleasant.

Former Lancastrian

Depending on your job and the type of office you work in this can vary.
My office is very formal uniform must be worn at all times.
Lunch is 30 minutes however if traffic is heavy then you work through your lunch and find time later or earlier to eat.
No lunch time pints or drinks unless you fancy a career change.
Some staff socialize outside of work on rest days others choose not to.
Our office is 24/7/365 so our start and end times vary. I just love the 4am shift
Apparently some people think we have a great Xmas party due to all the booze, smokes, drugs and food we seize

Steve_

I agree with this, people don't socialize at work much. They do a bit but not like in the US and the UK, at least imx. Everyone shuffles in, then everyone shuffles out. I think maybe it's more pronounced in Calgary though because staff turnover is probably higher here and there are a lot of people who moved here recently. (I notice it on planes and also in supermarkets as well, people will have a chat in America but here they seem to avoid it, you can sit on an 8-hour flight and not say a word to the person sitting next to you.)

The only exception is during Stampede when everyone makes an effort with differing levels of success. I came to the conclusion long ago that the birth rate in Calgary would be nearly zero without the Stampede.

And yeah, takes twice as long to get anything done. Makes me laugh now when I think about people talking about slackers in the UK or the US. I can't help thinking it is something to do with the altitude, because it always seems to be the people from back east who are the most productive. It does really get frustrating. Honestly if it wasn't for all the people who moved here from Ontario and Québec the place would grind to a halt.

I always notice it the most when I have to deal with someone in the US or Europe and they get back to me or get something sorted out much faster than someone locally.

Steve_

I think by "laid back" he meant speed - people here just seem to do everything much more slowly. It's not as if they're not doing something, they're just slower. Obviously I'm massively generalizing but that's my overall impression.

Steve_

Seeing as I'm actually in this situation right now... about four weeks ago I called this company I deal with to ask a very straightforward question.

I was put through to voicemail, and this person's voicemail said she would be back at work on August 6th and she's currently on vacation - for three and a half weeks apparently.

So I call back because I can't wait that long. Talk to a person who clearly gives me the wrong information because it totally contradicts what is in a letter I have. So she tells me to leave a message and send an e-mail and "someone who knows" will pick it up because they're checking that person's messages.

No-one comes back to me. I call them again. Okay maybe I should talk to a director, she says.

So I say yes, which takes her aback because people don't talk to the directors normally. Get hold of a director, this is such a simple question that he doesn't know the answer and tells me to contact the person who is away on vacation.

By this point weeks have passed, it is now August 7th and I still don't know the answer and the person who was on vacation still hasn't responded.

Basically I get the impression no-one wants to take responsibility, which is also another characteristic of the Canadian workplace.

Beaverquest

agree

like everyone was trained in local government office first

BristolUK

What about having the boss over for dinner?

Samantha was often doing dinner for Darren's boss, just as June used to do it for Terry's boss.