A Comparison of Work Culture in Canada and India

While you apply for Canada PR Visa and try to secure the required points on the CRS Score Calculator it is also important to be prepared for adapting to the new work culture in the nation. There are evident differences between the work culture in Canada and India and you may require some time to adapt.

Nevertheless, the quicker you accept the business etiquette and work culture in Canada, the faster you will be capable of making felt your presence in the organization and progress professionally.

The basics of Canadian professional work culture

Business Hours

In several nations, lengthy hours of work and weekend work are accepted and even anticipated. However, in Canada, the normal week work is from Monday to Friday, and work hours last from 9 AM till 5 PM. But different or longer work hours can be common in a few sectors.

Receiving messages or emails after work hours is rare in Canada. Even when this occurs, it is regarded as entirely apt to respond the following work day. Except in urgencies, it is advisable to schedule your emails or messages for the next day at 9 AM instead of invading the personal time of your colleagues.

Professional Dress Code

Canada has a fairly formal and conservative dress code except for back-end roles or companies having a casual work ambiance. Business formals are the perfect attire if your work requires regular client interactions or business meetings.

Time Management and Punctuality

Punctuality is appreciated in Canada and Canadians will normally not wait beyond 15 minutes if you are late for meetings. It is considered disrespectful and rude to make people wait even if someone is in a senior position. Share a message to inform people of your expected time if you are running late.

Being regularly late to work will project you as unprofessional and even result in questions about your time management skills and commitment.

Equality

The workplaces in Canada offer fair and equal treatment to people and it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race, sexual orientation, gender, or age. The position or designation does not determine respect and young workers are frequently included in meetings and allowed to share their views. Diversity in workplaces is common and it is crucial to respect and appreciate cultural diversity.

The Prominence of Soft Skills

For succeeding in the professional ambiance in Canada, only Technical skills are not adequate. Soft skills like interpersonal skills and communication, decision-making abilities, and leadership are very crucial.

In the interview process, the majority of employers in Canada in fact seek candidates having the blend of soft and technical skills required for the job. Relationship-building and communication skills are equally crucial for entrepreneurs.

Here we have highlighted some of the major differences in work culture in Canada and India:

Significance of Time

•         Time is valued by Canadians and it is vital to arrive on time for your work and be punctual for meetings
•         Indians are not known specifically for their punctuality and many of them are found to make excuses for arriving late

Introducing Others

•         In Canada, it is expected that you introduce people to others you know you will be talking to and in a formal manner inclusive of the title and last name
•         In India this is not the case and although networking is respected and important, you may not be always introduced to people and will have to be proactive on this front

Food Consumption

•         At workplaces in Canada, consumption of food is regulated fairly as noise and smell from food could be disturbing
•         In India, sharing food at workplaces is highly common even though food has a strong odor. It is normal to share food with colleagues and is regarded as an act of demonstrating kindness and love.

Personnel Space

•         Personnel space is offered utmost significance by Canadians and greeting one another at the workplace is through a formal handshake
•         In India it is normal for colleagues to hug one another at the workplace and touch one another while having a conversation with one another

Language

•         French and English are the two formal languages of Canada. Workplace meetings and Government work is normally held in any of these two languages.
•         India likewise has Hindi and English as the two formal languages. Most of the meetings of the Government are held in Hindi.

Dignity to all work

•         People are not ashamed of doing any work in Canada and even Managers at the workplace can be found to join their co-workers in doing tasks like cleaning desks, floors, moving materials, etc. All work is done with pride.
•         In India, however, this is not the case, and menial tasks are looked down upon

Contact Immigration Experts at Nationwide Visas to apply for jobs in Canada or PR Visa.