Workplace culture || page 14
Work hours, trust and work-life balance
type of work, many employers provide equipment
working mothers with children under age 2 (OECD
to allow employees to work from home.
2005), and flexible hours are essential for these two-income families.
Many expats coming to Denmark are surprised by
This flexibility, combined to fewer hours worked
the flexible work hours common at many work-
annually compared with other countries, means
Initially, some expats expect that an emphasis on
places. Flexible work hours are possible because
that, to the surprise of many expats, the office is
work-life balance where the stress appears to be
employers place a high level of trust in their em-
sometimes empty after 4 o’clock. It takes expats
on 'life' more than 'work' leads to less efficiency on
ployees. Employees are expected to complete their
awhile to get used to this, but, once they do, they
the job. But while it might be true that Danes work
tasks; when and where they get them done is less
seem to appreciate being able to have more time for
fewer hours, most expats discover that the effect on
important. This means people are allowed to work
family life or recreational activities.
efficiency is often the opposite: because employees
from home, work during the evening or work late
have fewer hours to get their work done, they com-
one day and leave early another. Parents make use
The employee demand for flexible work hours is
of this flexibility to work early mornings or late
due to the fact that the majority of both men and
evenings so they can leave early enough to pick
women work. Denmark ranks second amongst
up their children from daycare. Depending on the
OECD countries in terms of the percentage of
“The amount of trust is surprising.
“What surprised me coming to Denmark was the emphasis on work-life balance. I knew it existed, but not to this extent! Everything about family is prioritised and everything else comes after. It is great. It makes it easier to fly out
plete their assignments faster.
Among 1,350 European workplaces, a Danish company earned the European Special Award in Work-life-balance. Great Place to Work 2009
People leave the office to do things whenever they need to. Working hours are more flexible and colleagues and employers have confidence in each other, and trust that their work will be done adequately.”
Thursday to see my family, and work from home one day. I wish we had it in Germany.”
Within the EU21, flexible work hours are most common in Finland, Sweden and Denmark. European Foundation 2007