Work-life balance

Work-life balance in Denmark is of high importance. It involves managing your family life. Together with your personal and professional life.

Denmark
Denmark

About 2% of the Danish population work very long days. The average is 11%. Danes spends 15,9 hours on personal care and personal interests. This is more than the average of 15 hours. Danes also spend more hours on leisure time. In line with fulfilling basic needs. You can read more here: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/

A working week is from Monday to Friday. Office hours is usually between 08:00 and 17:00. Every person in Denmark works 1392 hours per year. The total average is 1734 hours. A full-time service is 37 hours a week. 

Work-life balance and flextime 

Work-life balance in Denmark is about opportunities. To adjust your working hours based on family needs. Family life of employees is generally respected. Work-life balance in Denmark fulfills all components of the concept. Denmark also offers you flex time. Flextime is more common in some industries.

You can adapt your working hours to your needs. This applies in both lower and high services. You are entitled to five weeks’ holiday per year. Three weeks can be consecutive during school’s summer vacation. To live relatively close to the workplace is common. This means less time on commuting.

Work-life balance in Denmark

Work-life balance in business- and family life

"Danes are some of Europe's most efficient workers - but they do not just live to work. Maintaining a good balance between time on the job and personal life is important to them, and employers respect this" -Denmark.dk

Business negotiations take place at lunch instead of dinner. Long business lunches are unusual. Therefore, you can get home quickly after work. Danish workers values their free time. They are working in a high tempo. This to be able to leave the job earlier. It is not common to have meetings after 16:00 on weekdays. Meetings should not be scheduled on Saturdays. Nor Sundays or national holidays. Breakfast meetings should not be planned. This because Danes do not seem to like it.

Your children will be given priority in the Danish society. Danish children are raised in a way that highlights participation. Both in decision-making and dialogues. Children aged 0-6 years are offered day care centers. You can choose between kinder-garden or in a private home.

Gender Equality

Work environment reflects many aspects of Danish culture. Such as equality and tolerance. There is a tradition of delegating responsibility. So that you can participate in decision-making. You can also invest in your further training-and skills development.

Denmark has a well-developed welfare system. Which enables women to fully participate in the labor market. It’s one of the most developed countries in the world. This when it comes to gender equality in workplaces. Women are working outside the home to a greater extent. This compared to other European countries. Therefore, women’s participation is high. Many women (about 19%) hold top positions in Danish companies. The difference in pay between men and women is 5.3%. This is 8.2% points lower than average.

National holidays

Mandatory vacation is five weeks. Vacation can also contain five more days. Plus local holidays. You can take three of these weeks during summer. School summer vacation is from June 20th to August 8th. Generally, business is slow during that period. Many executives are out of the office. Some companies close completely. I would therefore advise you not to schedule business meetings. Nor other business activities. This from late June to early August. Not either from December 20th – January 5th. Or during Easter week.

Work-life balance and working hours

A normal working week runs from Monday to Friday. Office hours are usually between 8 and 5. Women work an average of 35 hours a week. Compared to 41 hours a week worked by men. 9% of the Danish workforce works more than 49 hours a week. You can be compensated by time off when working overtime.

No law governs working hours in the private sector. Individual contracts and collective labor agreements are settling working-hours. You should not have to work more than 48 hours a week. Which is the average. This over a 4-month period. Thus, to follow the EU working time directive.

Danish lunch breaks are often just 30 minutes long. You should have the lunch with your colleagues. Many larger companies have canteen facilities. At other workplaces, you are required to bring your own food. Or to buy take-away.

Health insurance

The number to dial is 112 in case of emergency. Or where urgent help is required. Hospital assistance is available when staying in Denmark. At least, in the case of emergencies. Including accidents or sudden worsening of illnesses. Emergency medical treatment is free of charge. But you will be charged for follow-up care. It is advisable to have travel insurance. To cover any extra costs.

Denmark has a state-run health system. Financing, planning and management are run by the authorities. Services are payed through income taxes. There is only one legal state-run health insurance. If you live in Denmark and you are paying taxes. You will also be insured in Denmark. No separate health insurance costs must be paid. The health insurance covers hospitalization and medical consultations. But also, subsidizes medicines and a range of treatments.

You can follow this link if you want to get more information about healthcare in Denmark, : https://www.healthcaredenmark.dk

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