China’s work culture

Working in China as a foreign national is a great experience for many. However, when employment issues arise, it can quickly become a nightmare. Over the years, I have noticed that the misunderstandings and questions are recurring. Thus, we concluded with some tips to handle a disagreement before considering legal actions. With that in mind, this article will further explore the work culture of China. Many disputes are rooted in different expectations thus, increasing understanding of the local work culture can reduce your likelihood of encountering legal problems.

Working abroad is an opportunity that can bring tremendous professional growth. An occasion to gain work experience in China needs a good base of cultural knowledge in order to maximize benefits.

Communication

Any answer that is not a direct “yes” is a “maybe” or a “no”. When receiving a vague answer or any long workaround to a simple question, it is advisable to assume a “no”. Assuming a “yes” would likely be a miscommunication and may cause problems later on. Additionally, pushing for a definitive answer when the other does not want to commit might be seen as rude. Sometimes a definitive answer is necessary, but when it is not, it might be better to assume it as being a “no” and move forward rather than build tensions.

Working hours

In many offices, it is expected to give more than the contractually agreed and legal 40-hour regular workweek. Often, it is unpaid, which is of course illegal. However, no matter how illegal or unfair, if everyone is doing it then the foreign employee does not want to be the nail that sticks out. In some cases, working longer is more important than working efficiently. The tendency to work long hours is accompanied with the inclination to take long lunch breaks, be it for eating out or napping. It can be frustrating to be reprimanded for leaving at 18h00 when coworkers were napping until 13h45. The employer’s and employee’s expectations on overtime should be discussed openly and clearly during the interview process along with wage negotiation.

Chinese management style

The Chinese approach to management is very efficient in getting things done, if you give specific enough direction. However, it does not particularly encourage two-way communication. For example, if there are any issues encountered during the execution of tasks, those are not likely to be communicated upwards.

This requires the supervisor to closely manage the minutia of tasks and projects, something we would call micromanagement from a Western perspective. Of course, that does not foster ownership at the lower levels. The lack of ownership, together with a culture that emphasizes groups over individuals, contributes to personal accountability often being very fuzzy.

How to succeed in a Chinese work culture

As a Western professional working in a Chinese company, or even a Western company in China, where many employees are Chinese, you probably have to adapt your style to the culture to be successful. This also applies when you are dealing with Chinese business partners.

Be aware of seniority and hierarchy so you don’t inadvertently step on people’s toes. In the beginning, until you better understand the dynamics of your work environment in China, you should hold back with your suggestions to do things differently, or at least be very cognizant on how you present those.

When you manage Chinese employees, it is best to never assume anything. Your subordinates are unlikely to bring problems to your attention or challenge your directions. Therefore, you have to listen more for subtle clues and stay on top of the small stuff.

Our stance over China's

Work Culture

In today's China, many people are proud of their cultural traditions, and many people emphasize the uniqueness of Chinese culture. There is certainly nothing wrong with this, and the sense of humiliation that has been replaced by pride should be a good thing. But when I heard the word "unique", I was a little worried because I felt it seemed to describe Chinese and Western culture as a completely different culture. We are all human beings, and we have the same needs, the same joys and sorrows, everyone has his uniqueness, and every culture has its own uniqueness. But I believe that uniqueness is still based on universality, and it can even be said that uniqueness is a concrete manifestation of universality.