There is a reason why Denmark usually wins the honor of “happiest country on the planet,” says writer Alexander Kjerulf.
Danes aren’t just happy at home. They love their jobs, too!
It a mostly different story in the U.S.
A Gallup poll found that 1 in 5 Americans feel emotionally disconnected from work and 70% said they were not reaching their full potential. Which basically means that American employees hate their jobs.
Home life? We won’t even get into that.
So, why do Danish workers love their jobs so much more than their American counterparts?
1) Work Hours
Do Danes ever work? Yes, in moderation. Not only do Danes tend to leave work at a reasonable hour, they also get six weeks of vacation. Here we celebrate overwork as a sign of commitment.
2) Management Style
Here, if your boss gives you an order, you do what you’re told or expect consequences. In a Danish workplace, few direct orders are ever given and employees are more likely to view them as suggestions.
3) Unemployment
In Denmark, losing your job is not the end of the world. Get let go and you’ll get 90% of salary for two years. If you haven’t needed unemployment insurance in the U.S. in recent years, consider yourself blessed. I won’t depress you with the figures.
4) Training
Denmark has long had an elaborate set of government, union, and business policies that allow almost any employee to attend paid training and pick up new skills.
5) Happiness Goals
The Danes use the word arbejdsglæde. Arbejde means work and glæde means happiness. So, it follows that arbejdsglæde translates into “happiness at work.”
If you know the English version of that concept, in one word, please enlighten us in the comments section.
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