What tends to be different
- Directness is politeness. "This won't work because…" is normal feedback, not an attack. Praise is often implicit: no complaint means it's fine.
- Punctuality: a 10:00 meeting starts at 10:00. If you'll be late even 5 minutes, send a message.
- Written follow-up: decisions are confirmed by email or in minutes (Protokoll). "As discussed, …" emails protect you and are expected.
- Process and planning: decisions take longer, but once made they stick. Bring data and a proposal, not just an idea.
- Work–life separation: Feierabend (end of the working day) is respected. Emails after hours or on holiday usually aren't expected to be answered. Calling a colleague on leave is a faux pas.
- Hierarchy is flatter in tech and startups and more formal in traditional firms, the public sector, banks and Mittelstand companies.
Sie or du?
- Default to Sie + surname ("Frau Schmidt") in traditional firms, with authorities and with external contacts.
- Many companies (tech, startups, IKEA-style cultures) use du company-wide. Follow what colleagues do.
- Switching from Sie to du is offered by the more senior or older person. Accept it, and don't switch back.
Small customs that matter
- Your birthday: in many offices you bring cake or snacks for colleagues.
- Mahlzeit! is a lunchtime greeting in many offices and factories.
- Leaving gifts and collections (Sammeln) for colleagues' birthdays, babies and farewells are common — contribute a few euros.
- Christmas party (Weihnachtsfeier) and summer party are important for networking.
- Doors closed doesn't mean "go away" — knock and enter.
Your protections
- The AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) bans discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, age and sexual identity. Claims must be raised in writing within 2 months.
- The works council (Betriebsrat) and, in larger firms, the representative for severely disabled employees are confidential contacts.
- Help: Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (antidiskriminierungsstelle.de); unions (IG Metall, ver.di, IG BCE etc.) give legal protection to members, usually after 3 months of membership.