the business culture in quebec
TRANSCRIPT
www.directobjective.ca (514) 485-0336
The Business Culture in Québec:
Succeeding in Québec – Anecdotes & Tips from the Trenches
Gil Gruber, [email protected]
Québec culture is different!
Statutory Holidays
Common Canadian Holidays Québec
Family day (2nd or 3rd Monday in February) X
Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday) Easter Monday (Monday after Easter Sunday)
Victoria Day (Monday preceding May 25th) National Patriots’ Day
X Féte Nationale St. Jean Baptiste Day
Civic Holiday (First Monday in August) X
National Holiday ActThe majority of Québec employees are entitled to:● January 1st (New Year’s Day)● Good Friday or Easter Monday, at the employer’s
discretion● The Monday preceding May 25th (National Patriots’
Day)● June 24th (National Holiday) ● July 1st. If this date falls on a Sunday, July 2nd● The 1st Monday in September (Labour Day)● The 2nd Monday in October (Thanksgiving)● December 25th (Christmas Day).
Note: Employees of the clothing industry are also entitled to January 2nd, Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Working Hours
● 9:00am to 5:00pm● 9:00am to 5:00pm● 9:00am to 5:00pm
● 09:00 to 17:00
Respect for Work Life Balance
Sick Days
French is the language of business
Bill 101, Charte de la langue française (1977), made French the official language of:● Government and courts in the province of
Québec● The workplace, instruction, communications,
commerce and business
French is the language of business
● French (Québec) documentation is a must ● Fully bilingual service● Bilingual business cards● Signs/posters - French text predominating ● All business communication (internal and
external) should be in French (unless agreed otherwise)
Equality & Diversity
Professional Culture
● Punctual● Self-confidence● Quality vs. Quantity● Informality● Entrepreneurship● A lack of cumbersome procedures
Business Etiquette (1)
● Dress code - may vary from place to place● Business success relies on building personal
relationships● Business meals do not usually run for more
than 60-90 minutes● Networking (5 à 7 - Cinq à Sept) is an
essential practice in the Quebec business world
● Be in the know -
Business Etiquette (2)
● The organizational structure is flexible● Some works may be laid-back ● Respect for hierarchy, but decisions are
usually consensus-based● Family members play a role in the decision-
making process● Work-related materials you present should
be short and to the point
Merci.
www.directobjective.ca (514) 485-0336