Gabriel Hoces repeats one word seven times when discussing what it’s like to work in Denmark – “trust.”

“No one is trying to micromanage you, or spy on you,” said Mr. Hawes, who works at a technology company in Copenhagen. “The boss isn’t going to come in and check if you’re putting in eight or nine hours a day because they mainly only care about whether you’re completing the project.

“This way there is a lot of trust in Denmark and I don’t feel a hierarchy at work. It’s all very democratic.”

Mr Hawes, a married father of two young daughters, is not surprised that Denmark consistently ranks among the top five countries in the world for work-life balance. Ranking.

According to statistics, only 1.1% of Danes work 50 hours or more per week Latest global data From the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This proportion is significantly lower than the world average of 10.2%.

By comparison, UK figures is 10.8% The United States is 10.4%.

Meike Wiggin, author of The Danish Art of Living, has long viewed his home country as a shining example that other countries should emulate for their workplace policies.

“Danes are actually happy at work,” he told the BBC. “Almost 60% of Danes said they would continue working if they won the lottery and became financially independent.”

Mr. Wiggin, who is also the director of the Danish think tank the Happiness Institute, shared several policies that can help achieve a strong work-life balance in Denmark.

These include the right to at least five weeks of paid holiday per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers have the right 5.6 weeks of paid vacation, But in the US it can be as low as Just 11 days.

Denmark also offers very generous six-month paid internships Maternity and paternity leave. In the UK, the father or non-reproductive partner usually gets one to two weeks Paid time off.

In the United States, there are only federal guarantees unpaid parental leave, Although some states like California now offer paid leave after the birth of a child.

Mr. Wiggin is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses trusting their employees to do the right thing. He cited the example of staff at Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens amusement park, who adhere to the three-metre rule.

The idea is that you are the CEO of everything within a three-meter radius. Mr Wiggin said: “If you see rubbish within a three-metre radius you pick it up; if you see a customer looking for something you stop and ask if they can help.”

He adds that when employees have their own space, it helps them feel empowered and valued, which goes a long way toward fostering healthy emotions about the workplace.

Denmark is “definitely not a work culture where you have to be present and available all day and all night to show that you are working,” said Janine Leschke, a professor at the Department of Management, Society and Communication at Copenhagen Business School. Always working hard.”

Instead, she said the flexibility of the workday gives employees enough time to pick up their children from school or daycare. “The day doesn’t have to officially end at five or six o’clock, which is attractive to many Danes with children.”

Mr. Hawes noted that some employers in the United States may want their employees to have time over the weekend to respond to the odd email or message. This kind of overtime does not fit with his view of a positive work-life balance.

“If I had to take calls on the weekends, that would be a huge red flag for me and I might change jobs,” he said. “But so far, it hasn’t happened to me or anyone I know.”

Casper Rouchmann, CEO and founder of Copenhagen technology company SparkForce, said most Danes will be familiar with his relaxed leadership policies. “You don’t need to ask me to leave early,” he said. “No one will take advantage of my kindness.”

Mr. Rushman added that the element of trust is ingrained in Danish culture and visitors to Denmark are often surprised at how far it goes. He also highlighted Denmark’s generous welfare state and the fact that businesses must provide financial support compensation To employees who have been laid off.

“If you lose your job, the government is there to help,” Mr. Rushman added.

He said that while other countries could learn a lot from Denmark’s work-life balance, it also had some shortcomings. “Some people may become overly reliant on this safety net, which may tell them they don’t have to take real risks, which is why we have less entrepreneurship than the United States.”

American human resources expert Samantha Saxby said Denmark achieved a good work-life balance because the country “prioritised collective well-being”.

By contrast, she said, the United States has “a longstanding emphasis on individual achievement and ambition, which has driven tremendous innovation, often at the expense of work-life balance.”

However, companies in the United States and elsewhere around the world may eventually follow the lead of Denmark and other equally happy Nordic countries, said Ms. Saxby, director of marketing for the National Association of Human Resources.

“Progressive organizations are introducing benefits like unlimited paid time off, mental health days and wellness programs to encourage employees to prioritize self-care,” she said. “These measures not only relieve stress but also demonstrate that employers value the overall well-being of their employees.

“More and more companies are recognizing that well-rested and balanced employees lead to new ideas, better problem-solving skills and higher levels of engagement. Employees are beginning to feel empowered to thrive without sacrificing career growth. Take the time you need.”