Read the three situations (12, 13, 14) and explain the potential tension between the boss and the foreign employee. To what extent can the misunderstanding be rooted in cultural differences regarding how work time is perceived in East European countries? What should the foreign employee do next time? Compare with comments in Ponder Point 14. 


SITUATION 12 

A foreigner living in Lithuania is commuting to work, which starts at 08:00 a.m. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, he misses his train and already knows that he will not be able to make it on time. He waits for the next train and arrives at work 30 minutes late. His boss is crossed, especially that the employee has not contacted anyone about his situation.


SITUATION 13

A foreign employee living in Latvia is working on finalizing an important task in an international project. He needs to consult with his manager urgently and makes a direct phone call, not paying attention to what time it is. The manager neither picks up the phone nor returns the phone call. The clock shows 21:10.


SITUATION 14

A foreign employee living in Poland is on her way to an important business meeting, yet in the corridor she meets a colleague who starts asking her a lot of questions. Getting engaged in the conversation, she is late to the meeting. The organiser of the meeting shows no emotions, yet after the meeting, the employee feels that something is off. 





PONDER POINT 14

In East European countries, such as Poland, Latvia, or Lithuania, punctuality is highly valued in both professional and social settings, especially in the workplace, where arriving on time reflects respect for others' schedules. Meetings and appointments typically start promptly, and people often arrive at least five minutes early to ensure they are not late. If someone is delayed due to unexpected circumstances, such as a traffic jam, they are expected to notify others as soon as possible, providing an estimated arrival time. On the other hand, in cities, social gatherings are more flexible, especially among younger people, who are acceptable for arriving a few minutes late to meet friends. 

Furthermore, in professional settings, contacting someone regarding work matters is acceptable until 8:00 p.m. if something urgent or unexpected arises. This allows for flexibility in addressing last-minute issues but respects boundaries around work-life balance. However, contacting someone beyond this time could be seen as intrusive.


How are the cultural norms regarding work time and personal time similar or different in your culture? 


Last modified: Tuesday, 21 January 2025, 7:58 PM