Being the new kid on the block is never easy, but it doesn’t mean adapting to a new work environment has to be hard. Understanding the nuances of Canadian workplace culture can help newcomers in Canada thrive and progress in their careers by simply learning a few key things.
Remitly is here to help you settle into your new workspace. While each field might have its own subculture, whether you are a data analyst or a software engineer, this guide can help ensure an easy transition no matter the job.
Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding Canadian workplace culture
Key characteristics
Canada is a melting pot. The country prides itself on inclusivity, respect, and diversity, especially in the workplace. While hierarchy does exist, employers value communication and collaboration and encourage a strong sense of community among their employees.
Two key characteristics to remember when entering Canadian work culture:
- Clear and open communication: In Canadian workplaces, you’ll be encouraged to share ideas and give feedback. Your voice matters, so don’t be afraid to communicate respectfully.
- Respect for diversity: Canada doesn’t just take pride in its diversity—it celebrates it. It’s common for workplaces across the country to highlight diverse backgrounds and the value of different perspectives.
Importance for newcomers
Understanding Canadian workplace culture early on will put you a step ahead as you integrate. Understanding cultural expectations makes it much easier to communicate and collaborate. For example, expressing yourself professionally while respecting other opinions is key to integrating with new colleagues.
- Building professional relationships: Understanding your new workplace’s nuances and cultural norms can help establish connections with new colleagues and supervisors.
- Job performance and career advancement: Making an effort to understand the culture and workspace can lead to new opportunities and career growth.
Challenges faced
You may face challenges when it comes to understanding communication styles, expectations, or cultural differences. Preparing ahead will always help ease the transition to a new workplace.
Tips to remember:
- Navigating language barriers: Even if English is your native language, expressions and industry jargon can still vary. From Toronto to Vancouver, to London—there are different terms and phrases that you might not be familiar with at first. Making notes and asking questions will help you better grasp the vocabulary that you might need on a daily basis.
- Unspoken norms: Just like language, there may be workplace expectations in place that you’re unaware of without any guidance. Remember, communicating your questions in a respectful and professional manner will not only show that you’re taking initiative but will also help ease the task of deciphering certain cultural norms.
The basics of professional work culture in Canada
Communication styles
When entering the Canadian workplace culture, you’ll find that communication is generally direct but polite. Actively listening to your colleagues without interrupting, using clear and concise language, and maintaining eye contact when expressing yourself are all ways to ensure your point comes across.
Tips to remember:
- Active listening: Show genuine interest when engaging with your peers and colleagues at work. Simple gestures, such as a nod of acknowledgment or agreement, and waiting your turn to speak, are expected and will help you communicate effectively.
- Nonverbal cues: In Canada, maintaining eye contact is a good idea, to show respect and engagement in the conversation.
- Direct yet polite communication: Be courteous while being clear when you speak. There’s no need to beat around the bush as long as you express yourself respectfully and professionally.
Punctuality and time management
In Canadian workplace culture, being on time is fundamental. Arriving late to meetings or interviews can be seen as unprofessional. Managing your time is the key to meeting deadlines and showing your colleagues respect. Of course, unforeseen circumstances can arise, so it’s important that when they do, you communicate any delays or issues with your supervisors or colleagues to keep them in the loop.
Tips to remember:
- Punctuality: Arriving on time for the workday and meetings reflects your reliability and demonstrates respect for others’ time.
- Meeting deadlines: Completing projects or tasks within the expected timeframe is key to showing commitment and professionalism. Equally important is to communicate when a deadline cannot be met due to unforeseen issues.
Dress code and professionalism
Dress codes change depending on the industry—regardless, most workplaces in Canada expect employees to dress appropriately for their job. The three most common dress codes are formal, business casual, and casual. It’s important to know which one applies to you in your job.
Tips for dress codes in Canadian workplaces:
- Formal: This type of dress is typically seen in sectors like finance or law, where suits and ties are often required.
- Business casual: Today, many offices have adopted a more relaxed yet professional dress code, such as dress shirts without ties or blouses with slacks.
- Casual: Creative industries or tech startups might allow jeans and t-shirts, but confirming this before your first day will help avoid any awkward situations.
The role of networking in Canada
In Canada, networking plays a key role in career growth. You may have even found your new place of employment through professional connections rather than online job boards. As a newcomer, don’t be afraid to attend industry events in your field of work or participate in networking meetups around your city.
Tips for networking in Canada:
- Expand your opportunities: Sometimes, who you know can open doors you didn’t know existed. Building a professional network can help you find opportunities and job prospects that you may not have known otherwise.
- Learning and development: There’s always something to learn, even if you’re a veteran in your field. Understanding new procedures or technologies can help you broaden your network and enhance your skills.
Networking etiquette
So, how does one network in Canada? When attending events or meet-ups, try to present yourself authentically. Demonstrate your knowledge and eagerness to learn. Engage with others by asking questions and listening. Even if you have experience, being new to Canada means understanding how things operate there while also bringing insights from your past experiences.
Tips on how to network correctly:
- Authenticity: Express genuine interest in what others share and find ways to add value to the conversation.
- Follow up: It may seem old school, but sending a thank-you note or email after meetings can be a good way to remain in contact with your new peers.
Resources for newcomers
In the age of technology, many resources are available for newcomers, including mentorship programs, industry associations, and immigrant employment agencies. Canada provides numerous opportunities for newcomers to find work and excel in their careers. Don’t hesitate to research and reach out.
- Attending workshops or classes as a newcomer can only help. If you’re in the Vancouver area, consider Vancouver Public Library’s Workplace Culture guide, which offers valuable resources for newcomers.
- You can also explore organizations like Achēv that provide programs specifically designed for newcomers entering the Canadian workforce.
- The National Connector Program has a Workplace Culture Toolkit with links to different resources to help you integrate.
Teamwork and collaboration
Working as part of a team
Once you’ve entered your new workplace in Canada, you’ll find that teamwork really does make the dream work. Collaboration is key in Canadian workplace culture, and employees are encouraged to share their ideas, share responsibilities, and help support other team members when necessary.
Tips for teamwork:
- Shared responsibilities: Everyone has unique strengths, and by distributing tasks and sharing responsibilities, you can achieve the best possible outcome for larger tasks and projects.
- Open dialogue: Remember that communication is encouraged. Feel free to share your ideas and welcome new ones from colleagues. Collaborating with your colleagues through brainstorming often sparks creativity.
Interaction among colleagues
Positivity and understanding are key factors in maintaining respectful relationships with colleagues. Small talk is encouraged in many workplaces throughout Canada as it helps foster friendly, professional interactions. It’s common for many companies in Canada to organize events and team-building exercises to help build community within the workplace.
Tips for interacting with colleagues:
- Always remember respectful communication: Diversity means viewpoints can differ, and this is not a bad thing. As long as everyone remains respectful, conversations can go far, and ideas can flourish as you make deeper connections with the people you work with.
- Social engagements: While it can be easy to get lost in your work settling in as a newcomer, participating in team outings or exercises allows you to connect with your colleagues. These experiences break up everyday office interactions and allow you to engage with coworkers to create a bonding experience.
Resolving conflicts
In the Canadian workplace, communication will always be key. Nonetheless, conflicts can arise, and it’s often the objective of Canadian employers to resolve them through communication.
Tips for resolving conflict:
- Private discussions: If you feel capable of navigating the conflict on your own, having a private discussion can help alleviate tension and bring forth a solution that you and the other party are satisfied with.
- Seeking mediation: If communication with the other party has hit a wall, seeking out a third party to help mediate can quickly and efficiently bring forth a solution.
Achieving work-life balance
In Canada, the average workweek is forty hours long. Typical business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but this can vary depending on your profession and the company you work for. Understanding your hours and the expectations of your role will help you establish a good work-life balance from the beginning.
The importance of breaks and vacations
Newcomers will find regular breaks throughout the work day, and vacations are encouraged in Canada. In order to be at your best, balance is key.
Tips to remember:
- Breaks during the workday: Many offices will have break areas for employees to sit or eat, providing a chance to step away from computer screens and chat with other colleagues. Don’t hesitate to take a breath, even as a newcomer.
- Vacation time: Full-time employees are entitled to paid vacation each year. Every company will have different policies, so find out about the amount of time off you receive each year, which should be noted in your contract.
Policies for flexible work
Nowadays, many Canadian employers offer remote work, hybrid schedules, or flexible hours. Recognizing the available options is always best practice, allowing you to negotiate what is most beneficial for both you and your employer.
Options for flexible work:
- Remote work: Some companies allow employees to work from home full-time or part-time. This requires you to understand what is needed to execute your position effectively from home.
- Flexible work hours: While 9-to-5 remains the standard working hours for most workplaces in Canada, many companies offer flexible working hours to accommodate their employees. It’s best to inquire about flexibility early on and what specific accommodations you need to execute your tasks effectively.
Adapting to Canadian work culture
Tips for a smooth transition
How can you smoothly transition into your new role?
Observing and adopting colleagues’ communication styles, etiquette, and behaviours can help you adapt to Canadian work culture.
- Observe and learn: Pay attention to how your colleagues communicate and interact. Following their example can help you integrate more quickly.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions: If you’re unsure about workplace expectations, don’t hesitate to ask a supervisor or coworker for clarification.
Common mistakes to avoid
If you’re a veteran in your field, it can be easy to compare or assume that your new workplace in Canada will be the same as what you’ve been used to previously. Understanding cultural differences can help you avoid some common mistakes.
- Assuming all workplaces operate the same way: Avoid making assumptions based on your past experiences. Instead, take the time to learn about your new workplace environment.
- Ignoring workplace etiquette: Punctuality, teamwork, and professionalism matter greatly in Canadian workplaces. Being too informal or disregarding company policies can create a negative impression.
As a newcomer, adapting to Canadian workplace culture takes time, but with patience and effort, it won’t be long before you’re thriving. You can build a fulfilling and successful career in Canada by understanding key workplace norms, prioritizing networking, and embracing diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do newcomers need to know about Canada?
Moving to any new country means adapting to differences in culture and customs. When moving to Canada, when it comes to workplace culture, it’s useful to know that inclusivity, respect and diversity are highly valued, as are punctuality and authenticity.
What are five things that define Canadian culture?
Culture in Canada is diverse. Some aspects that are considered important and reflective of the country are how multicultural it is, the politeness and warmness of the people, its diverse climate, its love of outdoor activities, and it’s most famous foods, like maple syrup and poutine.
How can I adapt to Canadian work culture?
Taking the time to learn about workplace norms in Canada will help to ensure a smooth transition as a newcomer. Things like building a network, asking questions, observing colleagues, and being receptive to feedback can help.