US, northern Europe seen as 'worker-friendly'

Which part of the world would you work in?

The survey collected information from 24 countries ranging from Australia to Austria, Finland to France, Spain to Singapore. It gave survey participants a choice of language: English, French, German and Spanish.

And it revealed some interesting facts about company cultures in different parts of the world.

According to the study, companies in southern Europe are power-oriented.

They are characterised by more inflexible working conditions than elsewhere, and tend to agree with the notion that top managers should be available 24 hours and that demonstrating commitment to a company necessitates long hours.

The US and northern European countries - Finland, Norway and Sweden - seem more enlightened. They are seen as worker-friendly and their culture people-oriented.

Flexi-time, teleworking, sabbatical periods and part-time work are not sneered at, and most human resources managers are women.

Managers say they have not suffered burnout in the last year.

The survey found that countries in central Europe and the Pacific Rim adopt a results-driven culture.

Employees, most of them in multi-nationals, enjoy the "classic" conditions of work flexibility such as variable holidays and part-time work.

They disagree that people are increasingly valuing work above their own lives, but agree that two executives can successfully share a job.