This Dutch reality check went viral because it touched a nerve.
A Dutch employee finishes work at 5pm.
Their Slack goes offline.
They do not reply to weekend emails.
They declined a 7pm “team bonding” call.
Their American manager called it a lack of commitment.
Here is the reality check.
Commitment is not how long you stay online.
It is what you deliver in the hours you are paid for.
In the Netherlands, not finishing your work by 5pm is not seen as dedication. It is seen as poor role design, understaffing, or weak leadership.
When the manager threatened a performance plan, the employee forwarded it to local HR. HR laughed, explained labour law, and the behaviour stopped.
Boundaries ended the conversation.
This is not Europe versus the US.
It is outcomes versus optics.
Administrative professionals know this pattern well.
Be flexible.
Be available.
Absorb the overflow.
Never complain.
Get it done.
Here’s the thing.
Having a life outside work is not a lack of commitment.
It is professionalism.
If your culture only works when people give more than they are paid for, the problem is not the people.
It is the system.
