Work Culture Clash: Navigating Dutch vs. American Workplace Norms

For American expats in Amsterdam, the Dutch work culture can be both refreshing and frustrating. On the one hand, the Netherlands is known for its healthy work-life balance and flat hierarchies. On the other, what feels relaxed to some may feel disorganized or even dismissive to others. Therapy can offer a grounding space to make sense of these differences — and turn culture shock into personal growth and adaptation.

Work-life balance means actually logging off

Americans are praised for their drive, availability, and long work hours. But in the Netherlands, staying late is rarely seen as a badge of honor. Here, efficiency is prized over intensity, and leaving the office by 5:30 is the norm—not a sign of laziness but a reflection of deeply rooted values around quality of life.

At first, this can trigger anxiety in high-achieving expats. Questions like “Am I doing enough?” or “Will I be seen as uncommitted?” frequently come up in therapy sessions. The adjustment isn’t just logistical — it’s emotional. Slowing down can activate feelings of guilt, a loss of structure, or even a sense of lost identity.

Hierarchy is flatter, feedback is blunt

In the U.S., many workplaces operate on a clear chain of command and communication. In the Netherlands, the structure is flatter and more egalitarian. Dutch colleagues may challenge a boss’s idea openly, and you’re expected to speak up — even if you’re new or more junior.

This can be liberating but also disorienting. Americans might feel unsure when their input isn’t acknowledged with praise, or when managers seem too casual or distant. The Dutch value honesty over diplomacy, which can feel cold or even rude. Therapy helps unpack these reactions and reframe them — not as rejection, but as cultural difference. Not as criticism, but participation.

Boundaries aren’t just encouraged — they’re expected

You don’t need to prove your worth by being available 24/7. In fact, it might be frowned upon. The Dutch value autonomy, directness, and personal time. Responding to emails after hours or skipping vacation can be seen as unhealthy or even counterproductive.

This shift can be empowering once embraced. But for many expats, especially those from high-pressure careers in the U.S., it brings up fear of becoming irrelevant or disconnected. In therapy, clients often work on trusting new rhythms, learning to rest without guilt and to define success in broader, more sustainable terms.

Therapy as a bridge between cultures

Cultural transition doesn’t only happen on the street, it happens in your body, your values, your relationships with time, authority, and self-worth. Psychotherapy offers more than coping strategies; it helps you explore how your identity is shaped by culture, and how you want it to evolve.

At our practice in Amsterdam, we specialize in supporting American expats who feel caught between mindsets, who want to thrive in a Dutch setting without losing their core values. Therapy helps build resilience, emotional clarity, and confidence in navigating these shifts with authenticity and ease.

Ready to explore how psychotherapy can support your expat journey?

Whether you’re navigating cultural confusion, burnout, or identity shifts, therapy can help you feel more grounded. Our expat-focused mental health practice is here to support Americans living in Amsterdam.