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

Gabriel Hoces repeats one word seven times when discussing 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 put in eight or nine hours a day, as they mainly only care if you’ve finished your projects.

“There is a lot of trust in Denmark in this way, and I don’t feel a hierarchy at my work. It’s all very democratic.”

It is no surprise to Mr. Hoces, a married father of two daughters, that Denmark is still among the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. rankings.

Only 1.1% of Danes work 50 or more hours per week, according to the latest global figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is a significantly lower proportion than the world average of 10.2%.

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

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

“The Danes are really happy at work,” he told the BBC. “Almost 60% of Danes say they will continue to work if they win the lottery and become financially independent.”

Mr. Wiking, who is also the head of the Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help generate a strong work-life balance in Denmark.

These include the right to a minimum of five weeks paid holiday per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, but in the United States it can be as low only 11 days.

Denmark also offers a very generous six months of pay maternity and paternity leave. In the UK, the father, or a non-birth partner, is typical one to two weeks of paid leave.

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 work after the birth of a child.

Mr. Wiking is another Dane who mentions the concept of employers trusting their employees to do the right thing. I use the example of the staff at the amusement park of Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, where they follow the rule of three meters.

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

He adds that when the staff takes ownership of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and appreciated, which helps a lot to contribute to a healthy feeling about their workplace.

Janine Leschke, 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 are working hard all the time.”

Instead, she says that flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to, say, pick up their children from school or day care. “The day doesn’t officially end at five or six, and this is attractive to many Danes with children.”

Mr. Hoces noted how some employers in the United States may expect their staff to be available during the weekend, to respond to the odd email or message. This type of overtime is not compatible with their outlook for 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’d probably change jobs,” he says. “But so far it hasn’t happened to me or anyone I know.”

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

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

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

As much as other countries can learn from Denmark’s work-life balance, he says it has some disadvantages. “Some people can rely too much on that safety net, and it could tell them that they don’t need to take real risks, so we can be less entrepreneurial compared to the United States.”

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

On the contrary, she says that the United States “has long emphasized individual achievement and ambition, which has driven 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 eventually follow Denmark’s and the United States’ lead. other Nordic nations equally happy.

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

“More companies recognize that well-rested and balanced employees bring fresh ideas, better problem-solving skills, and greater commitment. Employees begin to feel able to take the time they need without sacrificing career growth” .