83% of European Workers Says No to American Office Culture

European professionals are pushing back hard against the spread of American corporate culture, with a new survey revealing deep concern over its influence on workplace norms, mental health, and labour protections.

According to the Crosscurrents Work Culture Report by career platform Zety, 83% of workers across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK fear U.S.-style policies are negatively impacting their workplaces, prompting some to consider quitting altogether.

The unease is especially focused on what many see as hallmarks of American corporate life: long hours, constant connectivity, increased surveillance, and aggressive return-to-office mandates. Over a third (34%) of respondents say they’d look for another job if such practices were adopted in their company.

The research captures a cultural tug-of-war between European social protections and what’s seen as an increasingly dominant U.S. business ideology, often personified by figures like Elon Musk, whose stance on remote work and workplace intensity has drawn global attention. More than 80% of European workers specifically cited high-profile U.S. leaders from the Trump era as negative role models for workplace culture.

A Quiet Rebellion Against Americanisation

The protest goes beyond work schedules. The deeper anxiety lies in what Europeans see as a threat to their labour identity. Eighty-six percent say U.S. workplace culture is influencing European companies more than ever, and 68% believe the solution is stronger labour laws to preserve distinctly European values, like guaranteed holiday time, fair work-life balance, and mental health support.

For 76% of workers surveyed, the prospect of an “always-on” culture directly threatens their mental health. Another 78% worry that long-standing protections could be weakened if U.S.-style policies continue to creep into their offices.

The American Work Model: All Pay, No Play?

There is some attraction, namely in pay. The main appeal of American work culture for European employees lies in higher salaries and performance-based compensation (42%), followed by access to innovative industries (27%). But beyond that, enthusiasm drops sharply. Only 22% are drawn to the U.S. focus on individual achievement, and fewer still embrace the entrepreneurial hustle narrative often promoted in Silicon Valley.

That disconnect may explain why European professionals remain largely disinterested in adopting American norms wholesale. Nearly all surveyed (95%) said maintaining independence from U.S. workplace influence is critical.

Surveillance, Layoffs, and the Looming U.S. Recession

European workers are also nervous about where this influence could lead. A third (34%) are concerned about the rise of productivity tracking and workplace surveillance, while another 33% fear layoffs and job instability, especially in the tech sector. AI and automation are also raising flags, with 30% worrying about job replacement.

Even U.S. economic trends are stirring anxiety abroad as 71% of respondents worry that a possible American recession could have ripple effects in their own countries, underscoring just how interconnected and fragile their workplaces have become.

Changes Could Backfire

Importing U.S. management trends into European settings may come at a cost. However, these policy changes could quickly backfire; not only are workers wary, but a significant number are willing to walk away if their offices begin to resemble a Silicon Valley startup.

In short, the American dream might sell well in boardrooms, but across European workforces, it’s looking more like a cultural cautionary tale.