Gabriel Hoces repeats the word seven times when he talks about what it’s like to work in Denmark – “trust”.
“No one is trying to micromanage you or look over your shoulder,” says Mr. Hoces, who works for a technology company in Copenhagen. “The bosses don’t come to check if you work eight or nine hours a day, because mostly they only care if you have completed your projects.
“That way, there is great trust in Denmark, and I don’t feel a hierarchy in my work. Everything is very democratic.”
It is no surprise to Mr Hoces, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark consistently ranks in the top five countries in the world for work-life balance scale.
According to the data, only 1.1 percent of Danes have to work 50 or more hours a week latest global figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This is a significantly lower share than the world average of 10.2%.
In contrast, the figure for the UK is 10.8% and the USA is 10.4%.
Meik Wiking, author of The Art of Danish Living, has long considered his home country a shining example of what other countries should emulate with their workplace policies.
“Danes are actually happy at work,” he tells the BBC. “Almost 60% of Danes say they would continue working if they won the lottery and became financially independent.”
Mr. Wiking, who is also head of the Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help create a strong work-life balance in Denmark.
This includes the right to at least five weeks of paid annual leave, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers have the right 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 paid six months maternity and paternity leave. In the UK it usually goes to the father or non-childbearing partner one to two weeks paid leave.
In the US, there is only a federal warranty unpaid parental leave, although some states, such as California, now offer paid time off work after the birth of a child.
Wiking is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses who trust their employees to do the right thing. He uses the example of the staff at the amusement park Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, where they follow the three meter rule.
The idea is that you are the CEO of everything within a three meter radius. “If you see trash within three meters, pick it up, and if you see a guest asking for something, stop and ask him if you can help him,” says Mr. Viking.
She adds that when staff take ownership of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and valued, which goes a long way in contributing to a healthy sense of their workplace.
Janine Leschke, a professor in the Department of Management, Society and Communication at Copenhagen Business School, says that Denmark is definitely “not a work culture where you have to show up and be available all day, all evening, to show that you’re working hard all the time.” .
Instead, he says flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to, say, pick up their children from school or daycare. “The day doesn’t have to officially end at five or six, and that appeals to many Danes with children.”
Mr. Hoces noted that some US employers may expect their staff to be available over the weekend to respond to the odd email or text. That kind of overtime doesn’t fit into his view of a positive work-life balance.
“If I was expected to answer calls on weekends, that would be a big flag for me and I’d probably change jobs,” he says. – But so far this has not happened to me or anyone I know.
Casper Rouchmann, Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of tech company SparkForce, says his laid-back leadership policy would be familiar to most Danes. “You don’t have to beg me to leave early,” he says. – No one takes advantage of my kindness.
Mr Rouchmann adds that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture that visitors to Denmark are often amazed at how far it can go. He also points out the generous welfare state in Denmark and the fact that companies have to provide financial resources compensation to the staff who have been dismissed.
“If you lose your job, the government is there to help you,” adds Mr. Rouchmann.
As much as other countries can learn from Denmark’s work-life balance, he says there are also drawbacks. “Some people can rely too much on that safety net and that might tell them they don’t need to take real risks, which is why we can be less entrepreneurial compared to the US.”
Samantha Saxby, an American human resources expert, says Denmark has such a good work-life balance because the country “prioritises collective well-being.”
In contrast, she says, the US “has long emphasized individual achievement and ambition, which has fueled tremendous innovation, but often at the cost of work-life balance.”
Still, Ms. Saxby, who is director of marketing for the US National Human Resources Association, says companies in the US and elsewhere around the world may finally follow the example of Denmark and other equally lucky Nordic nations.
“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 relieve pressure, but also show that employers value the overall well-being of their workforce.
“More companies are recognizing that rested and balanced employees bring fresh ideas, better problem-solving skills and greater engagement. Employees are starting to feel empowered to take the time they need without sacrificing career development.”
