Issues That Shocked Me About Working in Company in Spain Vs the US

I grew up in Barcelona in a bicultural family — my mom’s from america and my father’s from Spain.

I largely lived in Spain however visited the US usually and by no means felt I absolutely belonged to at least one tradition or the opposite.

For a few years, I labored in company communications in Spain. In 2019, I moved to america and continued my company profession.

I’ve now spent a few decade working for a number of American and Spanish firms, however I am nonetheless shocked by how totally different the 2 locations’ company cultures and workplace environments can really feel.

Forming private connections at work felt extra essential than networking in Spain

In Spain, it felt pretty pure and straightforward to attach with coworkers on a private stage and develop into pals.

I am nonetheless in contact with a few dozen folks I met at my first job, plus many colleagues from my different earlier roles again residence. We nonetheless attend one another’s birthday events and weddings.

Nonetheless, on the three firms I’ve labored at in america, I’ve discovered it tougher to type sturdy connections with my coworkers.

Within the workplace, it is uncommon to have conversations that are not associated to the job or that go any deeper than the weekly “How was your weekend?” small speak.

As a substitute, it appears the perfect and most essential strategy to type relationships with different professionals right here is by networking. The US office can really feel aggressive, so possibly the motivation to get forward makes it simpler for folks to attach that manner.

Lunch breaks really feel so totally different

Whereas working in Spain, it was widespread to usually seize lunch with colleagues or my boss and luxuriate in a full one-hour break.

One firm I labored at gave staff a day by day stipend for lunch, which coated meals from set menus that included an appetizer, entrée, and a dessert or espresso.

I felt inspired to eat a full noon meal, which helped me take a much-needed break from the workplace every day.

Within the US, lunch breaks really feel shorter and like they need to be optimized. A lot of my American colleagues spend their lunch breaks operating errands or consuming in entrance of their computer systems.

It feels extra widespread to have lunch in solitude than with a giant group of coworkers right here, and other people are inclined to eat chilly sandwiches and salads as a substitute of sizzling meals.

Job titles appear to have extra selection right here

After I moved, I shortly seen simply how a lot significance many People place on company hierarchical titles.

In Spain, I felt job titles have been pretty easy and simple and the businesses I labored at appeared to have fewer tiers.

At massive American firms, although, it is common to seek out a number of titles and tiers associated to only one function. For instance, assistant vp, government vp, vp, and senior vp.

With so many ranges and roles accessible, it nearly feels simpler to maneuver up faster within the US company world than in Spain.

Lastly, I miss the PTO insurance policies in Spain

Paid trip day insurance policies fluctuate all over the world, however Spain positively appears to prioritize work-life steadiness greater than the US.

In Spain, staff get at the least 30 days of paid day without work a yr. Within the US, staff aren’t assured PTO — it is as much as the employers to determine how a lot they will provide (if any).

Many People should work for months to earn lower than half of the paid trip days I routinely acquired in Spain.

With my marriage ceremony arising, I particularly miss Spain’s coverage that provides staff as much as 15 further days of paid depart once they get legally married.