What’s the secret to Denmark’s happy work-life balance?

When Gabriel Hoesse discusses what it’s like to work in Denmark, he repeats one word seven times – “trust.”

“No one is trying to micromanage you or look over your shoulder,” says Mr. Hoess, who works for a tech firm in Copenhagen. “The boss is not coming to check whether you put in eight or nine hours a day, because they mainly only care about whether you completed your projects.

“There’s a lot of trust that way in Denmark, and I don’t feel any hierarchy in my job. It’s all very democratic.”

It is no surprise to Mr Hoes, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark consistently ranks among the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. Ranking.

According to this, only 1.1% of Danes have to work 50 or more hours a week. latest global statistics From the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is much lower than the world average of 10.2%.

In contrast, this figure from the UK is 10.8% And America is 10.4%.

Meek Wiking, author of the book The Art of Danish Living, has long held up his home country as a shining example of what other countries should aspire to emulate with their workplace policies.

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

Mr. Wiking, who is also the boss of Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help create 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. Most workers in the UK are entitled to 5.Up to 6 weeks of paid leave, But in America it can be so much less Only 11 days.

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

In the US there is only a federal guarantee unpaid parental leave, However some states, such as California, now offer paid time off from work after childbirth.

Mr. Viking is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses trusting their employees to do the right thing. He takes the example of the staff at the 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. Mr Wiking says, “If you see rubbish within three meters of you you pick it up, and if you see a guest looking for something, you stop and ask them if you can help.” Are.”

He says that when employees take ownership of their space it can help them feel empowered and appreciated, which goes a long way in contributing to a healthy feeling about their workplace.

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

Instead, she says flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to pick up their children from school or day care. “The day doesn’t officially end until five or six o’clock, and that attracts a lot of Danes with children.”

Mr Hoese has observed how some employers in the US may expect their employees to be available over the weekend to respond to the odd email or message. That kind of overtime doesn’t fit with their vision of a positive work-life balance.

He says, “If I was expected to take calls on the weekend, it would be a huge threat to me, and I would likely change jobs.” “But this has never happened to me or anyone I know yet.”

Casper Ruchman, Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of tech firm Sparkforce, says his relaxed leadership policy will be familiar to most Danes. “You don’t have to ask me to hurry up,” he says. “No one takes advantage of my kindness.”

Mr Rauchman says the element of trust is so embedded in Danish culture that tourists visiting Denmark are often surprised how far it can go. He also highlighted Denmark’s generous welfare state and the fact that companies have to provide financial support compensation For those employees who have been made redundant.

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

He says that as much as other countries can learn from Denmark’s work-life balance, it also has some shortcomings. “Some people may rely too heavily on that safety net, and it may tell them they don’t need to take real risks, which is why we may be less entrepreneurial than the US.”

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

In contrast, she says that the US “has long emphasized individual achievement and ambition, which has inspired tremendous innovation, but often at the expense of work-life balance”.

Yet Ms. Saxby, who is marketing director of the US National Human Resources Association, says companies in the US and around the world are finally following Denmark and other equally happy Nordic countries.

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

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