28 January 2025

Gabriel HosesGabriel Hoses

Gabriel Hossis says his Danish workplace is 'very democratic'

Gabriel Hoses repeats the word seven times when discussing the nature of work in Denmark – “trust.”

“Nobody is trying to control you, or look over your shoulder,” says Hoses, who works at a technology company in Copenhagen. “Bosses don't come to check if you're putting in eight or nine hours a day, because they mainly only care about whether you've completed your projects.

“There's a lot of trust in Denmark that way, and I don't feel like there's a hierarchy in my job. Everything is very democratic.”

It comes as no surprise to Mr. Hoses, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark is consistently among the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. Global rankings.

According to only 1.1% of Danes work 50 hours or more per week Latest global figures From the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is much lower than the global average of 10.2%.

In contrast, this figure is for the United Kingdom is 10.8% and the United States 10.4%.

Mick Wiking, author of The Art of Living in Denmark, has long looked to his homeland as a shining example of what other countries should aspire to emulate in workplace policies.

“The Danes are really happy at work,” he told the BBC. “Nearly 60% of Danes say they would continue working if they won the lottery and became financially independent.”

Wiking, who is also President of the Danish Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help achieve a strong work-life balance in Denmark.

These include the right to a minimum of five weeks of paid leave per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers are entitled up to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, But in the US it can be as low as Only 11 days.

Denmark also offers a very generous six-month salary Maternity and paternity leave. In the UK, the father, or non-birth partner, usually gets From one to two weeks of paid leave.

In the United States there is only a federal guarantee unpaid parental leave, Although some states, such as California, now offer paid leave away from work after the birth of a child.

Meik Wiking Author Meik Wiking looks into the cameraMick Waking

Mick Wiking says that most Danes enjoy going to work

Mr Wiking is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses trusting their employees to do the right thing. He uses the example of staff at Tivoli Gardens amusement park in Copenhagen, where they follow the three-metre rule.

The idea is that you are the CEO of everything within a three-meter radius. “If you see rubbish in a three-metre radius, pick it up, and if you see a guest looking for something, stop and ask if you can help,” says Mr Wiking.

He adds that when employees own their own space, it can help them feel empowered and valued, which goes a long way in contributing to a healthy feeling about their workplace.

Denmark is definitely “not a work culture where you have to show up and be available all day, all evening, to show that you work hard all the time,” says Janine Lischke, a professor in the Department of Management, Society and Communication at Copenhagen Business School.

Instead, she says, flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to, say, pick up their kids from school or daycare. “The day doesn’t have to officially end at five or six, and that’s something that appeals to a lot of Danes with children.”

Mr. Hoses noted how some employers in the United States might expect their employees to be available over weekends to respond to the odd email or message. This type of extra work does not fit with his view of a positive work-life balance.

“If I was expected to receive calls on the weekend, that would be a big red flag for me and I would likely change jobs,” he says. “But so far this has not happened to me or anyone I know.”

His laid-back leadership style will be familiar to most Danes, says Casper Rochman, the Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of technology company Sparkforce. “You don't need to ask me to leave early,” he says. “No one takes advantage of my kindness.”

Mr Rochman adds that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture, that visitors to Denmark are often amazed at how far this element can go. It also highlights Denmark's generous welfare state, and the fact that companies must provide financial support compensation For employees who have been made redundant.

“If you lose your job, the government is there to help,” Mr. Rushman adds.

As much as other countries can learn from Denmark's work-life balance, he says it has some downsides. “Some people can rely too much on that safety net, and that might tell them they don't have to take real risks, which is why we can be less entrepreneurial than in the United States.”

Casper Rochmann Casper Rochmann smiles for the cameraCasper Rochman

No one “takes advantage” of the generosity of their bosses, says Kasper Ruchman

Denmark has a good work-life balance because the country “prioritizes collective well-being,” says Samantha Saxby, an American human resources expert.

By contrast, she says, the United States has “long focused on individual achievement and ambition, which has led to tremendous innovation, but often at the expense of work-life balance.”

However, says Saxby, who is director of marketing at the National Human Resources Association in the US, companies in the US and elsewhere around the world may eventually follow in the footsteps of Denmark and other equally happy Nordic countries.

“Progressive organizations offer benefits such as unlimited paid time off, mental health days, and wellness programs to encourage employees to prioritize self-care,” she says. “These measures not only relieve pressure, but also demonstrate that employers value the overall well-being of their workforce.

“More companies are realizing that well-rested and balanced employees bring new ideas, better problem-solving skills, and greater engagement. Employees are starting to feel empowered to take the time they need without sacrificing career growth.”

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