American and European business practices differ on a variety of human resources practices, specifically when it comes to work life balance. Europe, "mandates" pleasure via its 35 hour work week policy, and average 6 week/year vacation policy. America, despite the prediction that the U.S.'s capitalistic society would lead to hedonism, did not yield to "hedonistic" human resource practices. Americans work longer hours and when they "play", it often mimics work as it is characterized by "jam packed" weekends, and rigid leisure schedules and demands.

Understanding differences in cultural values between the America and Europe, are fundamental to the work life balance debate. Specifically, Americans value things while Europeans value time. Both approaches have costs and benefit implications for employer and employee and neither should be regarded as "right" or "wrong".