Case Study

Name: Tasin Islam Mullick

ID: 1931054030
BUS251.16 (QUIZ-2)

In brief: UBS employee shares her experiences in Switzerland, where standard

German is the most common language among the growing number of German
workers, highlighting communication and cultural misunderstanding issues due to the
shift from English or French.

Main Concerns:

Communication and Cultural Differences: The instance illustrates how Swiss and
German personnel communicate differently, with English, French, Standard German,
and Swiss German being their preferred languages. A debate on the procedure for
getting in touch with General Board Members (GMBs) for video planning is one
aspect of this..

Organisational Protocol: There is a disagreement about the proper procedure for

contacting GMBs for video planning. The German co-worker believes that all
contacts should go through their Business Management office, while the narrator
disagrees, citing past practices.

Work Environment and Interpersonal Relations: The case suggests a strained

working relationship between the narrator and the German co-worker, characterised
by perceived aggressiveness and patronising behaviour from the latter. The change
in tone when the narrator switched to Swiss German indicates a potential cultural
barrier.

Integration and Welcome: German employees may feel unwelcome or out of place in
Switzerland, both inside and outside of work. This is exemplified by the narrator's
co-worker feeling stressed during a public event due to the reactions of Swiss people
towards the German team.

Recommendations: The recommendations include clear communication

protocols, cultural sensitivity training, improving language proficiency, fostering an
inclusive work environment, addressing perceived hostility, offering support for
employees relocating or working in foreign countries, and encouraging cross-cultural
understanding. These measures aim to improve communication, bridge
communication gaps, and promote a sense of belonging among employees from
different cultural backgrounds. Regular assessment and evaluation of these
strategies are crucial for ongoing improvement in cross-cultural relations within the
organisation.