Communicating at work in the Netherlands

Dutch people say what they think clearly, and you may hear that is not right or I disagree without much softening, which is not a personal attack but a frank exchange of ideas.

• Feedback on your work is direct and specific, and you are expected to accept it as useful information and not as an insult.
• In return you are expected to be frank: say if you do not understand, disagree or need more time, and do not settle for apparent agreement.
• Vagueness and hints may be taken as lack of interest or lack of transparency.
• Talk about facts and suggest solutions.
• Purposeful criticism made politely is accepted and valued, and try not to take it personally.

The meeting (overleg) is an essential part of the working day, an agenda is prepared for it and minutes written after.

• Every participant is encouraged to contribute regardless of position, discussion is open, and a trainee may politely object to a manager.
• Decisions are often taken after consulting all concerned seeking consensus, which may take time but ensures wide commitment to implementation.
• Do not expect a decision to be imposed on you from above without discussion.
• Prepare your points and speak when you have something to add, and do not monopolise the talk.
• In formal meetings time is respected, and finishing on time is important.

The Dutch structure is flat and treats the manager as a leading colleague and not as a supreme authority, and he is addressed by first name often.

• The manager expects initiative, independence and responsibility for your work from you, and that you report your problems early instead of hiding them.
• Do not wait for him to tell you every detail, ask when you need.
• It is normal to disagree politely with your manager and suggest improvements.
• Annual appraisal meetings (functioneringsgesprek) are a chance to discuss your performance and goals and ask for courses.
• Your initiative in asking for promotion or development is respected, but rely on facts and results.
• If the relationship worsens talk to human resources or the confidential adviser (vertrouwenspersoon).

The writing style at work is informal, clear and brief.

• An email often begins with Hoi Ahmed or Beste Ahmed, and ends with Met vriendelijke groet or Groet or Groeten.
• State your point in the first sentence and specify what you ask and the reply date.
• The use of internal messaging apps such as Teams and Slack is accepted for quick matters.
• You are not expected to reply in the evening or on holidays, since separation between work and life is a valued principle.
• The time of others is respected, so do not send urgent messages outside working hours except in necessity.
• Keep a polite and positive tone and avoid many abbreviations and emojis in formal correspondence.

Many Dutch people eat a simple lunch (broodjes) at the office, and start the morning with a cup of coffee and short talk about holidays, family or the weather, and it is normal to join them.

• At the end of the week a reception (vrijdagmiddagborrel) is sometimes held at the office, joining is not compulsory but builds friendship, and you can drink juice if you do not drink alcohol.
• Work-life balance is valued, and many work part time and with days working from home, and people stop working in the evening.
• Family and holidays are respected.
• Note the rule that everyone pays their share when going out to eat.

How is direct feedback viewed?