What is the secret to the happy work-life balance in Denmark?

Gabriel Hoces repeats one word seven times when he talks about what it’s like to work in Denmark: “trust.”

“No one tries to micromanage you or look over your shoulder,” says Hoces, who works for a technology company in Copenhagen. “Bosses don’t come to check if you’re working eight or nine hours a day, as they mainly only care if you’ve completed your projects.

“In Denmark there is a lot of trust in that sense and I don’t feel a hierarchy in my work. It’s all very democratic.”

It’s no surprise to Hoces, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark consistently ranks in the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. classifications.

Only 1.1% of Danes have to work 50 hours or more a week, according to the latest global figures of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). That is a significantly lower proportion than the global average of 10.2%.

By contrast, the UK figure is 10.8% and the United States is 10.4%.

Meik Wiking, author of the book The Art of Danish Living, has long considered his home country a shining example of what other countries should aspire to emulate with their labor policies.

“Danes are really 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.”

Wiking, who is also the head 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 holiday a year, in addition to public holidays. In the United Kingdom, the majority of workers have the right to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, but in the United States it can be as low as only 11 days.

Denmark also offers a very generous six months of salary maternity and paternity leave. In the UK, the father, or the partner who does not give birth, usually gets one or two weeks paid vacation.

In the United States there is only a federal guarantee of unpaid parental leave, although some states, such as California, now offer paid time off after the birth of a child.

Wiking is another Dane who cites the concept that bosses trust their employees to do the right thing. He gives the example of the staff at the Tivoli Gardens amusement park 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, you pick it up, and if you see a guest looking for something, you stop and ask if you can help,” Wiking says.

She adds that when staff take charge of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and appreciated, which goes a long way toward creating a healthy feeling about their workplace.

Janine Leschke, a 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 show up and be available all day, all night, to prove that “You’re working hard all the time.”

Instead, he says flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to, for example, 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.”

Hoces has noted how some employers in the US may expect their staff to be available on weekends to respond to the occasional email or message. That kind of overtime doesn’t fit with your vision of a positive work-life balance.

“If I was expected to take calls on the weekend, that would be a big red flag for me and I would probably change jobs,” he says. “But so far that hasn’t happened to me or anyone I know.”

Casper Rouchmann, Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of technology company SparkForce, says his relaxed leadership policy would be familiar to most Danes. “You don’t need to ask me to leave early,” he says. “No one takes advantage of my kindness.”

Rouchmann adds that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture that visitors to Denmark are often horrified at how far it can go. He also highlights Denmark’s generous welfare state and the fact that companies have to give financial help. compensation to dismissed staff.

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

While other countries can learn from Denmark’s work-life balance, he says it has some drawbacks. “Some people may rely too much on that safety net, and this could tell them that they don’t have to take real risks, which is why we may be less entrepreneurial compared to the United States.”

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

By contrast, he says the United States “has long emphasized individual achievement and ambition, which has driven enormous innovation, but often at the cost of work-life balance.”

However, Saxby, chief marketing officer of the US National Human Resources Association, says companies in the US and other parts of the world may finally be following the lead of Denmark and other similarly happy 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,” he says. “These measures not only relieve pressure, but also demonstrate that employers value the overall well-being of their workforce.

“More companies recognize 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.”