The US was founded on the principle that good, honest, hard work is rewarded. Because of this work ethic, efficiency and punctuality are highly valued across jobs. However, work environments can vary a lot depending on where you live and what sector you work in.
Traditional working hours in the US are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with half an hour for lunch. However, workplaces are becoming more flexible, and many companies allow their employees to set their own work schedules.
While the standard work week is 40 hours long, many Americans end up working notoriously long hours. This is because, in the US, your work day doesn’t end when you go home. Employees are generally expected to keep up with emails and deadlines after work, and the higher you move up the career ladder, the more will be expected of you.
If you’re used to European holiday times, American holiday schemes can seem pretty brutal. The US doesn’t guarantee its workers any paid vacation time or parental leave, instead leaving it up to individual employers to provide these. Most new employees receive just one or two weeks of paid vacation per year, and it can take up to 10 years to work your way up to four weeks. Perhaps most surprisingly, many Americans don’t even end up taking all of their vacation days.
If you have more of a “work-to-live” and not “live-to-work” attitude, the American work environment can take some getting used to. People here strongly identify with their jobs, and they are willing to put in the hard work.
The salary is just one component of a job offer but, at least for Americans, it’s usually the most important one. The cost of living in the US can be pretty high, particularly in big cities. However, salaries also tend to be higher there. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but many cities and states have higher minimum wages to match rising costs of living.
Salaries for some professions, like those for nurses or school teachers, vary greatly from state to state, so it is wise to do research before you start applying for jobs. Another important factor you should consider is the benefits package of a job offer. Depending on the size and nature of the company, your employer may offer benefits including health insurance (required for larger companies), retirement plan (401k), dental insurance, vision care, and life insurance. It is a good idea to be informed about the changing market conditions or other factors that might affect your salary and benefits before making a decision.
Job protection laws in the US are not as strong as in other advanced economies. This means that companies can hire and fire employees with fewer restrictions, making for a flexible job market but less security for workers. However, this also varies depending on your job. Some professions, such as dentists, lawyers, psychologists and statisticians, enjoy good job security, while less specialized professions are not as secure. While this can be an intimidating aspect of the job market, most Americans do not worry about losing their jobs; in fact, they actually choose to leave them more often than in other countries.
Traditionally, the East Coast is more conservative and formal in terms of dress code and manners than the West Coast. Overall, though, office environments tend to be informal. Individual opinions are always welcomed in meetings, and employees are treated as equals. Diversity is also highly valued in the workplace, and you will likely be working with people from different backgrounds.