ABSTRACT
The focus in this chapter is on a Norwegian architect company, Snøhetta, and its attempt at transferring the Nordic work–family policy to New York when it established a branch office there. The time culture in the New York office was to begin with clearly characterized by the time norms which are created at the societal level in American society: working long hours and believing in the value of ‘face time’ and two weeks of unpaid holiday. The company’s aim of implementing the Norwegian working week of 37.5 hours, five weeks of paid holiday and parental leave represented an institutional challenge which the employees were opposed to in the beginning. However, in spite of being strongly embodied in the long hour culture, the employees gradually adapted to a time culture inspired by the more family-friendly time culture at the office in Norway.
