Australia - less formal?

[Johnnydt]

Hi folks,

Am moving over to Perth at the end of this year, beginning of next.

Was just wondering whether those that have moved over to Oz have found the work environment more informal then that in the UK. I realise that this like anywhere in the world might depend on the type of job and organisational culture. But from your experience in your type of job what do you think.

Things I'm thinking of are:

- workwear. Do people dress in suits? Do most people wear ties? Do some people wear shorts? In general is it less or more formal then the UK?
- facial hair. Do more people have beards, subble, goatees then you experienced in the UK
- language.

Just trying to get a grip on what differences I might expect to find.

thanks

Johnny

[guest37336]

Hi folks,

Am moving over to Perth at the end of this year, beginning of next.

Was just wondering whether those that have moved over to Oz have found the work environment more informal then that in the UK. I realise that this like anywhere in the world might depend on the type of job and organisational culture. But from your experience in your type of job what do you think.

Things I'm thinking of are:

- workwear. Do people dress in suits? Do most people wear ties? Do some people wear shorts? In general is it less or more formal then the UK?
- facial hair. Do more people have beards, subble, goatees then you experienced in the UK
- language.

Just trying to get a grip on what differences I might expect to find.

thanks

Johnny

Hi Johnny.

I think to an extent you have answered your own question mate in the title of your thread, 'Australia-Less Formal',.

Only a very personal insight mate, but on the whole yes they are indeed less informal, (see more friendly and open as well).

Never ever wore a suit in Australia, but never had an 'office' job either, so harder to comment for me, but I would say that it is similar to the UK in that respects, maybe without the ties so much.

You will probably see more people with facial hair, be it beards, tash's, long hair, ponytails and the like, there not around every corner, but I would say there are more people with such features.

Language is a bit of a difficult one, most Aussies tend to be a little more up front, and say what they think, which at times can take unsuspecting individuals by surprise,.

On the whole Johnny I would say that the sense of informality is a little more prevalent in Australia than a lot of other countries, much more relaxed, laid back and welcoming.

Of course this is only a very personal insight mate, and others may differ, but as far as I am concerned the 'reception' I get when out there makes for a much more relaxed mindset.

Cheers Tony.

[Bobj]

Hi folks,

Am moving over to Perth at the end of this year, beginning of next.

Was just wondering whether those that have moved over to Oz have found the work environment more informal then that in the UK. I realise that this like anywhere in the world might depend on the type of job and organisational culture. But from your experience in your type of job what do you think.

Things I'm thinking of are:

- workwear. Do people dress in suits? Do most people wear ties? Do some people wear shorts? In general is it less or more formal then the UK?
- facial hair. Do more people have beards, subble, goatees then you experienced in the UK
- language. We spika da better version of da inglisi...

Just trying to get a grip on what differences I might expect to find.

thanks

Johnny

Any help?

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/reno...-1225717376867

http://www.public-domain-image.com/p...ation.jpg.html

Cheers, Bobj.

[JamesGong]

It really depends on your role, what industry and part of Australia you are working in, so you can't generalise. Same with language - and there are people from all over the world here too.

[GregnDeb]

My Husband is head of department in Construction Industry, in Uk he was clean shaven, he wore suit, shirt and tie everyday. Here most of all his colleagues wear Polo shirts for work, he wears a s/s shirt but no tie, nobody bats an eyelid if he doesnt shave for a week, he generally shaves every other day, as long as he does his work and gets the results then thats ok. He enjoys November (Movember over here) No shaving for a month and get money for Charity.

[Zman]

As James notes, it depends on your industry. I work in IT and have always worn a suit and tie excepting casual Fridays (as long as no client meetings, when a suit is expected to be worn).

Less formal in some areas but my experience in Sydney, Melbuourne and Canberra is that suits are usually worn.

[boganbear]

I find Australian office workplaces more formal than in the UK and there is more of a 'do as you are told' attitude. Innovation, and creativity are much less and things are often done because they have always been done that way even though they may not make sense or there is a more efficient way to do things. Work hours are longer too and more overtime is expected. However much of this is hard to pin down and not that much different to the UK but it does remind me of those 1950s films where people were so polite to each other and good manners were cherished.

At most places I've worked in the Uk most people swore when something went wrong at some point and no one really minded. My old boss could let out the most hillarious stream of expletives but swearing here is a big no no. I've been told off just for saying bugger! A couple of my English colleagues have also said that they have to be careful of what they say so I know it is not just me.

More people have beards here too , including younger guys, ranning from thick, bushy, scraggy, to well maintained. No one seems to mind as much as they do in the UK. Besdides, if people don't like beards then thats their problem not mine.

[thombatt]

It depends were you work and what sort of work you do.

I have worked in companies were part of the workforce was in suits (corporate account management) and another (consumer marketing) in jeans, and they were located right next to each other on the floor.

[newjez]

I agree with the above - it depends who you work for.

When I was at Uni I worked for a council in Perth WA during the hols. I had the opportunity to meet the town clerk, and I was told to address him as Mr xxxx. I looked my boss in the eye and told him I hadn't called anyone Mr since I was at high school and I don't intend to start now. I called the Town Clerk by his first name, and he didn't bat an eyelid.

The amount of formality often depends on whether you are customer facing. I've worked in offices in the UK where the aircon has broken, and we have received an email saying "gentlemen can losen their ties". But where I work in the UK now - we wear shorts, sandels are polo's in the summer.