Ever wondered what Danish workplace culture is like? It’s known globally for its incredible work-life balance and is a big part of why Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries. But what is it like to work in Denmark?
Maybe you’re deciding whether or not working in Denmark is for you, or perhaps you already got hired, and now you want to know what’s waiting for you? Well, look no further! In this article, we will walk you through Danish workplace culture, so you will know what to expect from working in Denmark!
1. Skipping the formalities
Something that you will run into right away in a Danish workplace is the informal atmosphere. You might be used to calling your boss or even your coworkers “Ms.”, “Mr.”, “Sir”, or something similar. Everyone, including managers, is on a first-name basis in a Danish workplace. It might be a bit more formal in e-mail communications, but it’s still normal to use the informal “you” (du) and people’s first names to address them. In fact, if you’re being too formal, you risk coming off as unfriendly.
Work attire is mostly casual, and rarely are you required to wear a business suit and tie. You’ll probably see both jeans and fitted business trousers – it really depends on your personal style and the individual workplace. You just need to look presentable and put together! If you’re still unsure how you should dress, consider buying any new work clothing after you arrive in Denmark. Wear neutral business slacks and a dress shirt the first week, and observe your coworkers, to get a feel for what you should buy.
There are workplaces with more formal requirements, however. If you work in business environments such as law, consulting, finances, and the likes, suits are common for both men and women. Note that, as a woman, you will never be required to wear a dress.
2. Danish workplace culture is “flat”
To understand the Danish workplace, you should understand the company structure that is the foundation of the workplace culture. Maybe you’re used to a work culture with a “tall” hierarchal structure, where there is a clear division of management and decision-making going from the top down. In a “flat” hierarchy structure, like in a Danish workplace, there is still an order of command, but it’s probably a lot less visible than what you may have been used to before.
In most cases, bosses and managers prefer to be part of the team. Managers often won’t have their own offices separating them from the space of other employees, as everyone already knows who’s in charge. In any case, there is at least almost always an open-door policy. If it’s difficult to get a feel for who your superiors are, don’t be afraid to ask!
Just as in many other parts of Danish culture, equality and democracy are valued in this “flat” workplace. Workers can speak openly and exchange ideas with managers, and while the manager is the one with the final say, they often want the input of other employees. Everyone is encouraged to voice ideas and concerns and get involved with decision-making.
So, voice your opinion even if it contradicts the idea of your superiors. Your honesty will be respected and appreciated as long as your argument is well-researched and politely expressed.
3. Punctuality and trust
Another concept that is pertinent to Danish work culture is punctuality. Danish employees are given a lot of independence and trust, which is exchanged for timeliness and commitment to one’s tasks. If you say you can handle a project, your superior will believe you. It’s assumed that you will meet the deadline, and be transparent about any difficulties you may run into.
In this way, there isn’t a lot of monitoring or “hand-holding”, which you may have experienced before. You are also trusted to communicate in a straightforward and clear-cut manner. Mistakes are human and should be admitted right away – lying about your shortcomings is unacceptable, while honesty is respected.
4. Independence and teamwork
Maybe now you imagine Danish workers as lone wolves on solo missions. Each worker often has their own area of responsibility, which means high independence. But, the independence of the individual employee works in tandem with the idea of working as a team. They are expected to show initiative in solving their tasks while at the same time being encouraged to seek advice from managers and coworkers.
One person might oversee a project, but other team members are expected to help the team finish the project. Everyone pitches and exchanges ideas and collaborates to better complete their individual and common projects and deadlines.
5. Socializing in the workplace
Socializing is encouraged in Danish workplaces. Lunch is scheduled so that coworkers can all have their lunch together and be social away from their desks. Most companies have events like Christmas parties and summer outings, and usually, employees bring a cake for their own birthday to share with the whole office.
As much as socializing is encouraged and facilitated in the workplace culture, most Danes separate their work and home life. So, don’t be surprised or hurt if your colleagues don’t socialize with each other or you outside the workplace.
It’s nothing personal – most people just choose to prioritize their family and existing friendships. That being said, you shouldn’t be discouraged from socializing. It’s also important to show up at social work events, even if it’s just for a few hours. It shows your commitment to the Danish culture and the team.
Most Danes are fluent in English, but the main social encounters, like lunch conversations and small talk, are often, naturally, in Danish. Coworkers mean no harm, but they may not always remember to speak English, so learning Danish can make you feel much better integrated into your workplace. If you don’t know how to start learning, hop on over to Swap Language to try a free on-demand lesson!
6. Flexible work hours
The standard workweek is 37 hours, from Monday to Friday. Many companies have quite flexible work hours for workers to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s less important when and where you do your work (especially after many companies tried remote work after COVID-19) and more so important that you are on time with meetings and deadlines.
Some companies even let workers completely structure their own hours. There’s also no unsaid expectation of you to work overtime – if your working day ends at 4 PM, you can leave at 4 PM. What matters most is that you accomplish your tasks on time. If you do work overtime, you’re compensated with extra wages or time off.
7. High quality of life
Denmark ranks 3rd on OECD’s scale of countries with the best work-life balances. This is partly due to flexible work hours and great social and welfare support. Denmark has great social security in case of unemployment and offers 52 weeks of parental leave as well as great access to childcare facilities.
Workers are entitled to at least five weeks of vacation, and there is no set amount of allowed sick days per year. If you’re sick, you simply stay home – this goes hand in hand with the assumption of mutual trust. The Danish work-life balance ensures lower stress levels, promotes motivation in workers and brings on overall higher quality of life.
8. The importance of language
It’s possible to live and make a career in Denmark without speaking Danish. Still, for most internationals, it strongly elevates their social and professional experiences if they study Danish. If you don’t understand or speak Danish, you may feel challenged in social situations in the office or with your team.
Learning Danish is also very important to understand the culture. Humor and sarcasm are typical in Danish speech, even in the workplace, and it can be hard for internationals to differentiate between sarcastic jokes and serious statements. Learning more about the language and humor very quickly helps non-Danes integrate into and enjoy Danish culture overall!
Making friends through work is possible, but not the most common. If you want to build more relationships, you should try focusing on meeting people through your free-time interests, like physical activities, book clubs, etc. Learning Danish is quite possibly the most important step for you to take if you want to increase your chances of making great relationships. At Swap Language, we specialize in making learning Danish as accessible, flexible, and fun as possible – check out our language lessons to start your journey!
So, what is Danish workplace culture like?
Now you know the ins and outs of the Danish workplace. It’s independent, friendly, and social. It’s “flat”, informal, and embedded with mutual trust and respect. It’s a culture where companies work with their employees in how work can be a valuable part of life rather than be detrimental to one’s overall well-being. It’s at its core just very… Danish.
Like in any other country, the culture of your specific workplace might differ in some ways from what we have talked about in this article – just like how Danes aren’t all the same. In any case, the common denominator is Danish, and it will probably be the key to understanding your exact environment. If you liked learning about the culture, but feel scared by the idea of taking on a new language, don’t worry! Leaning into learning Danish will be very valuable and fun for internationals working in Denmark, and it will be for you too.