The United States has long been celebrated as “the land of opportunity,” a notion that one British expatriate, Hayley Domin, discovered firsthand when she moved to the East Coast two decades ago. While she is grateful for the opportunities she’s encountered in her career, Domin admits that after 20 years, she still hasn’t fully adapted to American work culture.
“The work culture here, particularly on the East Coast where I reside, feels almost unhealthy compared to what I’ve experienced in Europe and other countries I’ve visited for work,” Domin wrote in *Business Insider*. “In many European nations, people don’t let work consume their lives the way they do in the U.S.”
### The High Cost of a Higher Salary
Domin acknowledges that the primary advantage of working in the U.S. is the higher salary. For instance, the median annual income in her native UK is approximately $47,000, while in the U.S., it’s closer to $65,000. However, this financial perk comes at a steep personal cost. At times, she feels her job takes priority over everything else, leaving little room for other meaningful experiences.
One major cultural difference she’s noticed is the lack of respect for defined work hours. In the UK, work typically adheres to set hours, such as 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but in the U.S., the boundaries are often blurred. To maintain her mental well-being, Domin refuses to respond to emails outside of those hours. This boundary, however, has led to colleagues texting her in the evenings when they don’t receive an immediate reply.
As someone who values work-life balance, Domin tries to encourage her coworkers to step away from their desks during lunch breaks—whether it’s taking a walk or enjoying a meal at a café—but she says her efforts have largely fallen flat.
This relentless focus on work has left her feeling disconnected from her colleagues, even after years of working alongside them. Beyond the office, Domin finds it equally challenging to forge genuine connections in her personal life. Living in Boston, she notes that “people rarely talk to each other on the streets.”
“In fact, it’s so uncommon that when someone does strike up a conversation, I’m almost taken aback,” she added.
### Contemplating a Move Away from the U.S.
Despite these challenges, Domin appreciates many aspects of American life and her adopted home. She admires the energy and enthusiasm of Americans, describing their outgoing nature as “almost infectious.” Moving to the U.S. also gave her confidence a significant boost, reinforcing her belief that she “could achieve anything.”
However, after every trip abroad, Domin finds herself dreading the return to the U.S., prompting her to consider relocating elsewhere. “I crave simplicity and authentic connections,” she explained. “There are undeniable benefits to moving to a place with a stronger sense of community.”
For now, though, she remains committed to being the “work-life-balance cheerleader” in her workplace, gently reminding those around her that there’s more to life than just work. Through her actions and attitude, she hopes to inspire others to prioritize what truly matters.