Lauren Keen, a former resident of London now residing and working in Vancouver, recently shared her insights on the disparities in workplace culture between the UK and Canada. As a professional in the recruitment industry, she relocated to Canada in pursuit of a more outdoorsy lifestyle and has since noted several noteworthy distinctions in the corporate sphere.
One of the initial observations made by Lauren was the relaxed work environment in Vancouver, highlighting the absence of fierce competition and the notorious absence of the tea round custom. In contrast to the high-pressure environment she experienced in London, she noted that working in Vancouver feels more like ‘working to live’ rather than ‘living to work’, a mindset she found refreshing as a professional.
Additionally, Lauren spotlighted the tradition of offering tea rounds in the office as a distinctive feature of British workplace culture. In her experience, this practice was virtually non-existent in the Canadian work setting, where colleagues were more inclined to suggest going out for a coffee together. Furthermore, she observed that the act of bringing homemade goods into the office, such as cookies or treats for birthdays, was more prevalent in the UK compared to Canada.
Furthermore, she perceived a differing attitude towards socializing and drinking after work. While London’s pub culture often led to after-work drinks on various days of the week, Vancouverites were less inclined to partake in this tradition, prioritizing early mornings for outdoor activities such as hiking.
Regarding healthcare benefits, Lauren was pleasantly surprised to discover that her corporate position in Vancouver offered comprehensive coverage, including access to various specialists such as physiotherapists, naturopaths, dieticians, osteopaths, and chiropractors. This level of healthcare support was something she had not encountered in her role based in London, underscoring another advantage of working in Canada.
In conclusion, Lauren’s transition from London to Vancouver has provided her with a valuable perspective on the disparities in workplace culture between the UK and Canada. Her firsthand account offers an insightful glimpse into the unique aspects of professional life in both countries.
