The US has long held a reputation for being one of the most productive countries in the western world. As financial crashes rocked the output of many industries, the US has often managed to hold steady in times of crisis, with a notably more impressive rate of innovation and yield than many other countries, including the UK.
The Modern Workplace Research, 2018 report found similar: surveying a variety of business leaders across a plethora of industries, US-based workers repeatedly reported higher levels of productivity, innovation and satisfaction at work, compared to their British, German, French, Australian and Singaporean peers.
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Strikingly, 39% of US business leaders surveyed felt their workplace was ‘extremely effective’ at fostering innovation and creativity – a marked 10% higher than their next closest peer, France. So, why are US productivity and innovation levels so much more positive, in comparison to the rest of us?
39% of US business leaders feel their workplaces are ‘extremely effective’ at fostering innovation and creativity
The Working Culture in the US
The working culture in the US can provide a rudimentary answer: the US has more stringent working rules, both officially and culturally. The average American work week has been estimated at around 47 hours; far higher than Western Europe.
Paid vacation time is at a minimum comparatively to the rest of us, and controversially, parental leave is too. Many could assume that all this extra time in the office results in a generally more dedicated and diligent workforce. Perhaps this is the case, although some experts would disagree, and anecdotally, many of us could likely pinpoint the hour after which extra time in the office turns into a waste, and our brains turn to mush.
The US has more dedicated and loyal employees
The Modern Workplace Research, 2018 revealed another potential truth about US-based workers – they are more dedicated and loyal to their employers, partly because of those differing workplace rules and laws. Maybe this loyalty has a positive impact on overall attitude, with US-based employees more likely to report confidently on their places of employment.
We might even consider the difference in global happiness, attitudes and patriotism to one’s own country: Business Insider’s survey of the most patriotic countries placed the US at number one, whereas France, Germany and Singapore were at the bottom of the list (the UK and Australia both entered the top 10).
It wouldn’t be surprising if the rate of patriotism (41% of Americans surveyed agreed with the statement “my country is the best country in the world”) were reflected elsewhere, including opinion about how successful a US workplace might be, particularly when it comes to areas that are hard to quantify.
No matter what, we can learn a lesson from our US peers: we should all be a little bit more enamoured with our workplaces, and the work we put out into the world.
Positivity breeds positivity, and in our workspaces, that can never be a bad thing.