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

Gabriel Joses repeats the word seven times when he discusses what it’s like to work in Denmark – “trust”.

“Nobody’s trying to micromanage you or look over your shoulder,” says Mr Hases, who works at a technology firm in Copenhagen. “Bosses don’t come to check if you’re working eight or nine hours a day, because they mostly only care if you’ve completed your projects.

“This attitude towards Denmark inspires a lot of trust, and I don’t feel any hierarchy in my work. Everything is very democratic.”

For Mr. Joses, a married father of two young daughters, it’s no surprise that Denmark consistently ranks among the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. ratings.

According to data, only 1.1% of Danes have to work 50 or more hours a week latest world numbers from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This is a much lower share than the world average of 10.2%.

In contrast, this figure is for the UK is 10.8% and the United States – 10.4%.

Meik Viking, author of The Art of Danish Living, has long held his home country as a shining example of what other countries should strive to 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. Viking, who is also the boss of the Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help create a strong work-life balance in Denmark.

These include entitlement to a minimum of five weeks paid holiday per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers have the right up to 5.6 weeks of paid vacation, but in the US it can be at least only 11 days.

Denmark also offers a very generous six months of payment maternity leave. In the UK, the parent or non-childbearing partner usually receives one or 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 maternity leave.

Mr. Viking is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses trusting their employees to do the right thing. He uses the example of staff at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, where they adhere to the three meter rule.

The idea is that you are the CEO just three meters away. “If you see litter within three meters, you pick it up, and if you see a guest looking for something, you stop and ask them if you can help,” says Mr Viking.

He adds that when employees take ownership of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and valued, which goes a long way toward contributing to a healthy workplace mood.

Janine Leschke, a professor at Copenhagen Business School’s Department of Management, Society and Communication, says that Denmark is definitely “not a work culture where you have to show up and be available all day, all night to show that you’re working hard all day time”.

Instead, she 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’s attractive to many Danes with children.”

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

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

Kasper Ruhmann, the Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of tech company SparkForce, says his relaxed management policies 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 Ruhman 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 social security and the fact that firms have to provide finance compensation employees who are resigning.

“If you lose your job, the government is ready to help,” Mr Ruhman adds.

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

Samantha Saxby, an American HR 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 enormous innovation, but often at the expense of work-life balance.”

Still, Ms. Saxby, who is the director of marketing for the US National Staffing Association, says companies in the US and elsewhere around the world may finally be following the lead of Denmark and other equally fortunate 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 demonstrate that employers value the overall well-being of their workforce.

“More and more companies are recognizing that well-rested and balanced employees bring fresh ideas, better problem-solving skills and greater engagement. Employees begin to feel empowered to use the time they need without sacrificing career growth.”