Dutch Employer Apologises After Worker Sends 6 AM Email

A simple work email sent at 6 am has gone viral after an unexpected response from a Dutch company. Instead of praising the employee’s early start, the employer scheduled a meeting to ensure he wasn’t facing “unnecessary work pressure” and even apologised if they had created that impression.

The incident, shared on X, resonated widely with professionals accustomed to late-night and weekend emails. It highlighted the Netherlands’ strong emphasis on work-life balance, where long hours are often seen as poor planning rather than dedication. According to The Hague International Centre, Dutch employees maintain clear boundaries between work and personal life, supported by labour laws that limit average weekly hours to between 29 and 36.

The viral post was a reply to a now-deleted Reddit story, where a Dutch worker at a U.S. tech firm described being criticised by his American manager for logging off at 5 pm sharp. The manager accused him of “lack of commitment” for refusing weekend emails and late-night Zoom calls. The employee pushed back, explaining that in the Netherlands, finishing work on time reflects efficiency, not laziness. He reminded the manager that his contract was for 40 hours only, not “40 hours plus nights and weekends.” When the manager threatened disciplinary action, Dutch HR dismissed the complaint outright.

Online reactions poured in, contrasting global work cultures. Many noted that in the Netherlands, employees “work to live,” while in the U.S., people “live to work.” Others pointed out that constant overtime is considered bad management, not dedication. For many, the viral moment underscored that in some countries, protecting personal time is the norm, not something to apologise for.