Question

1) what are some learnings you have had in canada about the workplace related to personalities and values.

2) Share how the learnings on your personality and values may affect your educational, carreer, professional, personal or life goals.

Answer 1

Question 1:

Personality is basically the characteristics or the qualities of an individual combined together and which forms distinctive character of the person. Personality is something which distinct one person from the another. Values are the basic principles or the basic standard of behavior. Values are to ends in order of which we act.

Workplace personalities and values are equally important as much as they are important in social and religious life of a person. Every workplace have their own values, cultures, do’s and don’ts. Canadian work culture is somehow different to that of other countries. A few Canadian workplace values and personality traits are as follows:

1. Honesty- The Canadian workplace requires honesty, directness and sort of openness in their work. Unlike a few other countries where being direct is not much followed, Canada is the one which like to be more open and direct about each and every issue. People in Canada do not follow the diplomatic paths. But being honest and direct does not mean you are allowed to be rude, a person should be polite and come up with his/her thoughts in a way that are considerate with the feelings and sentiments of other people’s.
2. Equality- In Canada we can see that everybody is treated equally, each and every person is equal there. Status is not much observed as compared to in other countries. In other words, in workplaces the status of a person is not given much value rather than treating everybody equally is more encouraged. Hierarchy is not much evident in Canada, they believe in egalitarian society (where people are considered equal).
3. Independency- Workers in Canada are not ordered as to what they are supposed to do or how are they supposed to do a task. A task is given and you have to find out your own way as to how to complete it or proceed with it. People there should be willing to work hard and should take their own initiative to work. Nobody approaches anybody for work there.
4. Short term policies- Companies in Canada do not have futuristic approach. They are concerned with short term goals. They measure their success rates on quarter to quarter basis. They do not have long terms policies or goals.
5. Punctuality- The main or the basic thing we must not forget is punctuality. Canadian’s consider punctuality as a sign of respect. Being on time is highly valued. Also, meeting the deadlines before time is much more appreciated there.
6. Privacy- They like to keep their personal or private space. They are not much into groupism. Individual needs are kept as priorities there. Canadian’s value preserving their personal space, personal privacy. People in Canada are not much open as to their salaries, family life, etc.
7. No strict dress code- People in Canada are mostly found in informal dress codes, unless you are working in a Bank or law office, where you are expected to be in formals.
8. First name- They have the first name basis norm. they do not call each other with last name. everybody uses first name to reach out to the other.

Question 2-

It is not much difficult for a person to adjust in the Canadian workplace culture but for someone who is a student, is studying, or working as a part time employee, sometimes it becomes a bit difficult to consider all of the values which the workplace follows.

For instance, the Canadian’s are more into directness, honesty and open mindedness but give due importance to being completely considerate about the feelings of the others. But sometimes this directness may lead to awkward and embarrassing situations, a person might not be able to have hold over words and might hurt the feelings or sentiments of the others. In few situations being diplomatic is a good option, that is not being direct on the face of the person to avoid awkward situations. In other countries people are more into “saving face is most important thing than coming up directly on the person”. And having an awkward situation during a meeting or any such occasion will affect one’s career and professional life.

Also, the concept of independency in Canada is a bit of unseemly workplace environment. As the heads or your senior will just give you the task no matter how you will do it or even will you be able to do it or not and without having a helping hand or someone to guide you on the work is a demotivating. Because this only leads to pressure on the individuals mind. A part time student-employee will find it hard to work in such an environment, because during the initial years everybody needs guidance and support.

The strict punctuality rule as is considered to be a sign of respect, also sometimes becomes a drawback for a few people. As the individuals working as part time, who are studying in colleges or are having two shifts a day, may not be able to consider punctuality more often, which affects their profession, career and even their educational life.

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