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Dutch Employer Reportedly Apologizes After Worker Sends 6 a.m. Email

The viral post spotlights Dutch workplace norms that view out-of-hours messages as potential signs of unnecessary pressure.

Overview

  • An X user said his company in the Netherlands called a meeting after he sent a 6 a.m. email to ask about possible work pressure and apologized if he felt obliged to be available early.
  • The post responded to a now-deleted r/WorkReform thread describing a Dutch employee whose American manager tried to reprimand him for logging off at 5 p.m. and weekend nonresponses.
  • According to that Reddit account, Dutch HR backed the employee and the manager later stopped sending messages after office hours.
  • Coverage cites The Hague International Centre’s description of firm Dutch boundaries around evenings and weekends and commonly shorter average weekly hours.
  • News reports note the accounts are anecdotal social posts without a named employer statement as online reactions contrast European and U.S. workplace expectations.