Danes spend less hours on the job than people in most other countries. The general consensus is that work and free time are two sides of the same coin. Just like athletes need rest, employees need time to relax, have fun and take care of day-to-day practicalities in order to be effective.
As a UK expat put it: “staying late is more likely to earn you a lecture on inefficiency and time management than a pat on the back”. Your average Danish boss would rather see you come in refreshed than stressed.
The reasoning: quality is much more valuable than quantity. And since happy workers are motivated workers, the end result is well oiled and productive professional environments.
Danish organizations have a reputation for being non-hierarchical. Authority comes with expertise, professionalism, and knowledge, rather than job titles. The best idea wins, and speaking your mind is an asset, rather than an irritant. Not least in Central Denmark, where the mentality is down to earth. Have a big title? I’m not impressed. Have a great idea? Great, let’s hear it!
Empowering employees means getting the most out of your resources. No sense in keeping great potential down. This is also one of the reasons social mobility is so high in Denmark. If you’ve got the skills, you can be sure they will be put to good use.
People in Central Denmark are known to have both feet firmly planted in the mainland soil. The “Juts” are a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is and to-the-point people.
This grounded attitude translates quite well to modern technology and knowledge driven business. Thoughtfulness, effectivity, and function always prime over flash and over-enthusiasm.
It also makes Central Denmark a comfortable place to settle down. Juts take pride in having “short distances between people”. It’s not uncommon to see the boss eating lunch in the company canteen. Everybody is within reach – not just physically, but socially and in many ways, personally.
