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

Gabriel Hoces repeats one word seven times when he discusses what it means to work in Denmark – “trust”.

“No one is trying to micromanage you, or look over your shoulder,” says Mr. Hoces, 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 mostly they only care about finishing your projects.

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

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

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

In contrast, the UK figure It is 10.8% and the USA is 10.4%.

Meik Wiking, author of The Art of Danish Living, has long held his country up as a shining example of what other countries want to emulate with their labor policies.

“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.”

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

Among other things, the right to at least five weeks of paid vacation per year, excluding public holidays. Most workers in the UK have the right 5.6 weeks paid leave, but it can be as low as in the US Just 11 days.

Denmark also offers a very generous six-month stipend maternity and paternity leaves. In the UK the father, or non-birth partner, usually gets it a week or two paid leave

In the US there is only one federal guarantee 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 refers to the concept of bosses who trust their employees to do the right thing. He uses the example of workers at Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens amusement park, where they enforce the three-metre rule.

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

She adds that when employees take ownership of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and valued, which goes a long way toward creating a healthy sense of place around the 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 all day and be available all evening to show that you’re working hard all the time.”

Instead, he says, flexibility during working hours gives employees the time they need, such as picking up their children from school or daycare. “The day doesn’t have to officially end at five or six, which is attractive to many Danes with children.”

Mr. Hoces noted how some US employers may expect their employees to be available on weekends to respond to odd emails or messages. This overtime is not in line with his vision of a positive work-life balance.

“If I expected to take calls on the weekend, that would be a huge red flag for me, and I’d 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 tech firm SparkForce, says his laid-back leadership style would be familiar to most Danes. “You don’t have to ask me to leave early,” he says. “No one takes advantage of my kindness.”

Mr. Rouchmann added that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture that visitors to Denmark are often surprised at how far it can go. It also highlights Denmark’s generous welfare state and corporate financing compensation workers who are fired.

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

While other countries can learn from Denmark’s work-life balance, he says it has its downsides. “Some people can rely too much on that safety net, and it could mean that they don’t need to take real risks, so we can be less entrepreneurial compared to the US.”

US human resources expert Samantha Saxby says Denmark is so good at work-life balance because the country “prioritises collective well-being”.

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

However, Ms. Saxby, who is marketing director for the US National Association of Human Resources, says that companies in the US and around the world may eventually follow the lead of 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 relieve pressure, but also show that employers value the overall well-being of their employees.

“More companies are recognizing that well-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 growth.”