Cultural values and its influence on future workplaces

Abstract

The internationalisation in many companies and projects requires a better understanding of working conditions in different cultures to enable an enhanced integration of employees in foreign working environments. Nevertheless, there are boundary conditions in each country, which leads to different workplace strategies and workplace conditions. This will be analysed through the comparison of cultural values, particularly religion, which is one relevant characteristic of cultures across the globe. Therefore, relevant literature and existing legal frameworks in Europe and the United States of America for employee rights protection regarding religious discrimination are examined and appropriate measures for an internationally accepted working approach are deducted. The imprint of cultural values is a very strong frame for employees and their working habits. Especially the working conditions in Western countries are highly influenced by Christian standards. Although there are many clear traditional limitations, most countries can develop their individual and original "open space" experimental fields, which differ substantially from country to country. Therefore, workplace strategies need to be designed according to cultural characteristics and uniform working terms are necessary to create equal working conditions for employees from all cultural backgrounds. The line of discussion is focused on the balance or imbalance between convergence to an internationally accepted and equalised way of working and workplaces to promote the well-being of foreigners in multinational companies.