Working in one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark.

I never imagined I would end up working in Denmark. Still, six years later, I am here celebrating another year of working in the tech, public, and manufacturing spaces. In stereotypical anniversary fashion, I reflected on life and my professional work. I decided to share what I have learned about working in different countries. I begin with a personal work post on "What it's like working in one of the happiest countries in the world" and will go over work culture, education and experience, language and taxes.

Note: This is an opinion-based post, so consider this as 'food for thought' into the experience. I will also write in generalization, but again - let's be honest: I have yet to meet all Danes. So, please interpret my use and generalization of Danes (they, them, and we) as those I have engaged with while living in Denmark. These observations are just that, observations, not definitive judgments of the culture.?With my paranoid American "legal disclaimer" stated, shall we begin??

WORK CULTURE?

Unsurprisingly, Denmark's work culture differs from my US and other international work experiences. When I write culture, I think, "Work culture is a collection of attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that make up the regular atmosphere in a work environment" (Indeed.com, 4 February 2024). Using that definition, here are some thoughts about working in Denmark.?

Attitudes & Beliefs Towards Work

Danes, for the most part - do not live to work. Instead, they use work to create the life they want, sometimes aspirational, sometimes in reality. Their spare time and income go to what they care about, such as their families, friends and personal pursuits. Even for those whose work may be their 24/7 passion, there is the attitude that work is an important support role in life, NOT the role to live in life.??

Additionally, there is a difference between generations, specifically late Gen X'ers and younger ones. They value the work to live but are more focused and stubborn (in a positive way) towards spending their work in inspirational and purpose-driven work. This also means that attracting one's future workforce will require not only talking about your attitude towards work but also proving it and allowing them to build the change.?

Below are a few of the "we" expectations I have collected from Danes that I wouldn't necessarily expect other places to expect, nonetheless demand for the way Danes do here in Denmark.

• We work together towards a common purpose with a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties actively involved.
• We trust openly until there is a reason not to trust.?
• We will speak up regardless of seniority, but not so much that it sounds like boasting.?
• We have the right to a professional union to protect and fight for our employees' rights.?
• As employees, we will respect and protect our personal time, and we expect 5 - 6 weeks of paid holidays with up to 21 paid floating holidays.
• Employees have the right to have healthy psychological welfare in the workplace.
• If we work more than 37 hours per week, we expect to be reimbursed for that time through holiday, pay and/or flexibility of my schedule moving forward.
• Please expect us to refrain from answering work phones or emails after work hours or weekends.?
• We have the right to year-long shared parental leave, which is partially paid for by your employer and the state (aka your taxes).
• We should be able to earn a livable wage to afford to purchase a home (which we know affects generational wealth in the US).??
• We value our personal lives and privacy, so we may or may not choose to share any of it with you, so don't take it personally.

The list can quickly go on, and hopefully, the takeaway is that Danes believe they are entitled to a lot as employees and the Professional Unions, along with elected officials, are there to support and protect those entitlements. These expectations create (for the most part) a happier Danish worker.?

Behaviours towards and in work

If attitudes and beliefs are the feelings of work, behaviours are the actions behind those words. One thing that I appreciate and have come to expect is that Danes speak more through their actions than their words. I have also learned that this approach has benefits and downsides, primarily in organizations going through innovation, hypergrowth, ecosystems, and partnerships.?

Here are some of those behaviours:

• Decision-making is collective versus individual, and humility is an integral part of the culture (Google JanteLoven to learn more)
• Because decision-making is collective, it can take longer and may include persons who aren't contributing to the change. Thus hindering speed, competitiveness and innovation in profitable sustainability, digital tech, go-to-market and product marketing.
• Trust and the inner Danish circles exist. It can be challenging to be invited in; however, these trusted circles are an incredibly inclusive, exclusive experience that can open many doors once invited.
• Employee Law actually benefits employees. Some laws protect the psychosocial working environment, and others, such as DEI & mental health, are still relatively newer topics and are slowly being incorporated.
• Professional unions are more modern and beneficial. They can upskill, help negotiate and explain your contract, prepare you for interviews, and open networks. Unions will even partner to go up against the companies they work for - Google Elon Musk and Tesla to learn about the real power they carry for Nordic employees.
• A direct manager is more of a sparring partner than someone to help you professionally develop or for constructive feedback about improving work. Compared to the US, companies have very limited career pathing and development for their employees.
• Corporates feel equally as hierarchal as big US corporations. The only difference is that you hear an employee complain more openly and in public forums, regardless of employment level.
• Start-ups are everywhere in Denmark, and there is more emphasis on profit with a positive, impactful purpose.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Your education counts here. If you don't have these degrees, you may need to get creative in your hiring approach. Let me explain.?

Before I officially began living in Denmark, I came for 80 days. I hustled through coffee meetings, conferences and networking events to better understand the work culture and what companies were looking for and missing from their employees. I learned that the potential lack of interest in my CV (resume) wasn't because I needed to gain experience. Instead, it was the lack of degrees behind my name and the automated systems set only to accept those with Masters or PhDs to be passed through for interviews. So, compared to Danes at my seniority level, I was kicked out for being undereducated despite potentially having more applied experience. After one week of tears and a lot of Cocio chocolate milk, I chose to be creative and daring by creating a job that transferred my competencies and skills while aligning with my values. Thankfully, I landed five interviews and three job offers.?

LANGUAGE - Taler dansk

Learning Danish has been challenging. It isn't only because almost all Danes speak English or want to practice their English with a native speaker, nor that the Danish language has eight vowels, which creates 29 sounds that my mouth physically does not have the muscles to pronounce (UC Plus Dansk). Instead, learning Danish at a professional level takes years and complete submersion. Unfortunately, I haven't found a Danish job at my level that will allow me to practice my Danish in the work setting, BUT I interject my Danish where and when I can. Learning their language will only enable me to communicate and learn more about the culture and hidden intricacies of the Danish culture. Learning the language has also opened career opportunities and invited me to Danish-only meetings. So, I look forward to the day I can hold a business-level meeting with humour.??

TAXES

As an American, I am often asked what I think about Danish taxes. My response typically goes something like this... I am not thrilled about them, BUT in NYC, I paid 38% and rarely did I feel that I or others truly benefited from the taxes we paid. In Denmark, I pay just over half of my paycheck to taxes, and I can see and feel the benefits and impact of my tax contribution.?

For example, the taxes I pay cover a person's basic needs. This means that, for the most part, my basic needs are covered. I want to explain using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. He stated that for individuals to ultimately achieve their Self-Actualization or the realization or fulfilment of their talents and potentialities, they need two foundational blocks in the pyramid: Physiological Needs (air, food, water, shelter, clothing, and sleep), Safety and Security (health, employment, property, education, family and social ability). Danes start from this place, thanks to taxes and social welfare programs. So, a person doesn't have to choose between healthcare, putting food on the table, owning a home, earning a living, or having enough for retirement.?

So they start their work mornings (for the most part) from the third tier, Love and Belonging (Friendship, family, intimacy, sense of connection). They begin with a foundation that allows them to live and work from a non-survival mode.

The END

This brings me back to the beginning of this post. Have you ever heard the quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast", by Peter Drucker? Denmark is one of the happiest countries to live and work in because of its culture. This culture has intricately woven tools and systems such as taxes, education, and social behaviours that help preserve that culture. This privilege has been built by the generations who have thoughtfully worked to construct a foundation. Is it perfect? No. But does this foundation allow people to live more freely than in countries that protest their more verbal freedoms? I will say yes, it does.