CROSS CULTURAL UNDERSATNDING
"CONCEPT OF WORK"
To know what is mean by work value we have to look at the following points.
The work ethic
Attitudes towards work in Amerika have been very much influenced by the
work ethic. This work ethic is also called the "Protestant Ethic" it
motivates people to work hard so that they become successful. The work
ethic has something to do with the quality of goodness. This ethic was
result of the religious belief that success was a sign of God favor and
these who were successful were among God's "Chosen" and would go to heaven.
Whether one was successful or not work had religious and moral value.
Nowadays the work ethic is still important, however, it has lost his
religious significance. The outcome of the American work, value is
materialism and has the tendency to be concerned with wealth and
possessions.
Rewards and satisfaction
In America, people believe that they are rewarded for working, producing
and achieving. They believe that there is quality of opportunity that
allows anyone to become successful.
There are some people who really do succeed in raising their economic
and social levels. Many employees have a succession of jobs constitute a
career. Employees get the opportunity to progress the higher position in
business, organization, government agencies and firms. Promotions and
increased responsibility usually bring an increase in salary. Employees
will be rewarded for achievement in work. These rewards are personal and
financial as well.
There is increased job satisfaction when employees have the opportunity
to develop creative and intellectual skills. When the employees gain
recognition from the their colleagues, fellow workers, supervisors and
managers, it means that they are given a sense of importance and identity
in society.
Job advancement and mobility are determined not only by employers.
Employees themselves may independently decide to leave their job because of
the promise of a better job elsewhere. An employee in America is expected
to be loyal to his employer while on the job but he is free to change jobs
whenever he wishes. So scientists, engineers, highly educated
professionals, technicians and managers have high rates of job mobility.
In America, the government recognizes the importance of work as a means for
survival. It has established several systems as compensation for people who
are unemployed or underemployed. Some retired personal also receive a
pension which is based on how long they worked at one job.
Workaholics
There are also people who work very hard to "climb up the ladder" so
as to increase their status, financial position and sense of self work.
These people are driven to work as a result of the work ethic. They spend
so much time working and as a consequence they have little time for leisure
and personal relationship. In American English, a new word has been created
to describe people who work compulsively. The word "workaholic" describes a
person who is addicted to work as an alcoholic to liquor.
There are two conflicting opinions about workaholics. Those people who
are concerned with problems of mental stress believe that workaholics abuse
themselves physically and mentally. Others say that workaholics are
valuable members of society because they are very productive. The American
culture values achievement efficiency, production and workaholics uphold
these values.
Work: Practices and Attitudes
I. Cross-Cultural Implications of the Job Search
Job hunting in the United States or in American organization outside
of the United States is a challenging experience for Americans, but it is
especially so for people from other countries. A personal contact, such as
a friend or relative, can be of help in informing someone of a job opening
and possibly helping the job applicant obtain an interview. However, this
kind of connection (i.e. friend or family member) does not usually affect
hiring decisions. Sometimes, immigrants in the United States put too much
hope into what they think are good job connections, and they do not fully
realize how much they will have to rely on themselves to find a job.
II. Steps to Finding a Job
The search for skilled or professional job in the United States may
first require foreign visitors or new immigrants to receive some
additional training if their skills are not marketable in the United
States. And the job search consists of a minimum four steps, such as:
1. Preparation
This involves indentifying one`s skills and the range of work one is
capable of doing. It includes locating all possible sources for
learning about job availability (e.g. the classified ads in
newspapers, job placement agencies, and headhunters).
2. Networking
People usually find jobs on the basis of their performance at an
interview, their education, and their work experience. To network is
to meet people who have similar professional interests and to widen
one`s circle of acquaintances for the purpose of learning about job
opportunities.
3. Resume Development
A resume is a one or two page summary of professional goals or
objectives, education, previous jobs, professional skills,
accomplishments, and honors. Resumes occasionally include a little
information about personal interest and hobbies.
The resume is used to communicate quickly and easily with a
prospective employer.
4. The Interview
The best interview is one in which there is one in which there is
two way communication between the employer and the job applicant.
Some small talk before interview is actually important, because the
applicant's answers may indicate how easily the person can converse.
A job seeker who appears unfriendly may not be offered a position,
even if the person is the most qualified. Employers look for people
who seem to be likeable and easy to work with as well as technically
competent.
Employer – Employee Relationships
One of the first things that foreign-born individual notice in
American companies and organizations is the casual natural of the
employer-employee relationship. Among employees of different status,
foreigners often observe a great deal of informal interaction (
including chatting and joking). It is not always clear to outsiders
who is in charge.
Subordinates often call their superiors by their first names. Many
foreign-born professionals find it difficult to become accustomed to
this practice, and some add "Miss" or "Mr" to the first name. However,
this usage (e.g. "Miss Sue" or "Mr. Michael" is very unfamiliar to
Americans. Similarly, most American supervisors do not like to be
called "Sir" or "Ma'am". It is common, for example, for Filipino
employees (i. e., new immigrants) to use these as terms of respect.
However, for most American managers, "Sir" and "Ma'am" convey value of
egalitarianism.
Some supervisors and managers have an open-door office policy
whereby employess may enter without appointments. This is unusual for
those coming from cultures in which the society emphasize rank and
hierarchy. Again, the American value of egalitarianism manifests
itself in casual and informal behavior among people of different
status. However, even in the United States, a subordinate is not equal
to the boss. The latter has more power, earns a higher salary, and can
make decisions about and hierarchy in United states organizations do
exist. However, outward appearances (i.e., people's interactions) do
not make this fact obvious.
