The answer to that question in a word is……..trust. People who live in Denmark say there’s a lot of trust on the job. No one is trying to micromanage you, bosses aren’t coming in to check to make sure you’ve put in your 8-hour day, and there’s no feeling of hierarchy. It’s no surprise that Denmark is consistently among the top five countries in the world when it comes to work-life balance rankings. Only 1.1% of Danes have to work 50 or more hours a week, which is significantly lower than the world average. Denmark is a shining example of what other countries should aspire to mimic with their workplace policies. Danes are actually happy at work, with almost 60% saying they would continue working if they won the lottery and became financially independent. That’s because companies in Denmark have worked hard to create a strong work-life balance. That includes the right to a minimum of 5 weeks of paid annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays. Denmark also offers a very generous 6 months of paid maternity and paternity leave, while in the U.S. there is only a federal guarantee of unpaid parental leave. Danish companies also provide employees with flexible hours, so parents are able to pick up their children from school or daycare — the workday doesn’t have to end at 5 p.m. Unlike the United States, where employees are often expected to be available over the weekend, especially to answer phone calls or emails, Danes are not expected to make themselves available on the weekends. The U.S. National Human Resources Association says that companies in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world should follow the lead of Denmark and introduce measures to truly create a strong work-life balance, more than just on paper. After all, well-rested, happy workers are more productive than those who are hanging on by a thread.
