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Flexible and attractive conditions for employees and the strong social welfare system in Denmark makes it possible for citizens to uphold a healthy balance between work and personal life, for example by offering free healthcare and affordable childcare. In addition, most Danish work places offer an informal work environment with flat hierarchies.

The Danish work-life culture

The average Danish work week is around 37 hours, with office hours generally being from 8-9 am to 4-5 pm, sometimes earlier on Fridays. However, many workplaces are increasingly offering flexible hours with room to plan the work week according to the schedule that fits each individual worker. Some even offer 4-day work weeks. Working overtime is compensated financially or through extra time off.

In addition, Danish full-time workers are entitled to a minimum of five weeks of vacation per year, in addition to public holidays (8-10 days per year).

In Denmark, new parents are entitled to parental leave with pay. Expecting mothers have the right to leave at least 4 weeks before the expected birth. In addition, parents have up to a year of parental leave, some assigned to the mother, some for the father and some that can be shared among them. 

72% of Danish mothers work, which is much higher than the OECD average of 59%. Denmark has affordable, high quality childcare and the majority of children are in daycare from the age of 1 allowing both parents to work.

The importance of leisure time in Denmark

The Danes value their personal time and prioritise spending time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies and interests. As a result, work is not typically viewed as the most important aspect of life. This is reflected in the Danish work-life balance and employers are generally supportive of their employee’s efforts to balance work and family life.

Employers in Denmark practice ‘freedom under responsibility’. This means that there is a high level of trust between employer and employee, which is imperative to uphold the high level of flexibility and keep stress at a minimum.

The Danish concept of "hygge"

The importance of leisure time in Denmark, is closely related to the Danish cultural phenomenon of ‘hygge’. Hygge is hard to translate, but is can be used both as a noun, an adjective or a verb and means something like a state of cosiness, warmth and relaxation where everyone feels good. So, the Danes need leisure time in order to have time for ‘hygge’.

However, ‘hygge’ is also important in the work place, which is reflected in the informal, flat hierarchy that exists in most Danish work places. In addition, the lunch break and small social breaks during the day (preferably with cake and coffee) are considered an important part of Danish work culture, contributing to a relaxed feeling and balance between work and social activities.