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We’ve all been there, the email chain that just won’t end and the weekend turning into working days. But there are certain countries that seem to do this better. work-life balance researchers take into consideration how many hours people work, how much free time they get and how much of their time is dedicated to looking after themselves. These countries regularly come up as the best to work in, here are 10 countries and what they do differently.
Top 10 Countries that do it Right
These vary from year to year and depend on the source, but the following countries come up regularly:
•Denmark – Standard working week of around 37 hours. High level of trust between staff and management.
•Netherlands – Many people choose to work part-time. The law allows people to request to change their working hours.
•Norway – Standard working week of 37.5 hours. Generous paid holiday.
•Finland – Long summer holidays. Culture of respecting quiet time.
•Sweden – Daily coffee breaks (fika). Extremely long paternity/maternity leave.
•Iceland – Famous for testing shorter working weeks. Less stress was experienced without a drop in productivity.
•Germany – Clear guidelines on how many hours should be worked in a day. Strong culture of switching off.
•Spain – Long lunch breaks. Family time is respected.
•New Zealand – Minimum of 4 weeks holiday per year. Love of being outdoors.
•Belgium – Employees have won more protection against receiving messages outside of work hours.
What they do differently
1. Rules
A number of countries are now supporting the right to disconnect. This means that staff can switch off from any work related calls or emails outside of work hours without fear of repercussions. Some are also trialling a four-day work week, believing that well rested workers will perform better.
2. Trust
Management focuses on performance rather than how long someone has been working. People usually leave on time.
Things you can do:
•Have a set end time and let your team know.
•No work notifications outside of work hours.
•Take all your annual leave.
•Have a proper lunch break.
Putting small boundaries in place every day can make a bigger difference than taking a long holiday.
Discover Where Work and Life Thrive Together
1. Which Countries Prioritise Work-Life Balance Most?
Explore the top 10 countries offering better work-life balance and healthier lifestyles.
2. Which UK Jobs Offer Better Balance?
Find out which high-paying tech and finance jobs combine remote flexibility with work-life balance.
3. Which Cities Offer the Best Balance?
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4. Which Indian Companies Value Employee Wellbeing?
Check out 10 Indian companies recognised for supporting work-life balance and employee wellbeing.
5. How Does Germany Approach Work-Life Balance?
Uncover 10 interesting facts about Germany’s workplace culture, employee benefits and work-life balance.
