As a trailblazer for both gender equality and work-life balance, Sweden is renowned for the numerous measures that it has rolled out. The flagship initiative is the 480-day paid parental leave, which may be shared between both parents. The scheme’s appeal is also heightened by the tax relief that is granted to parents who share their paid parental leave equally.

Unlike Japan and many Western countries, working more than the statutory weekly working hours is not perceived as a feat in Sweden but as a warning that the workload should be reviewed, or even as a sign of inefficiency. Only 1% of the workforce work overtime and, together with the Netherlands, this is one of the lowest rates in OECD countries.

The philosophy of “lagom”, which translates as “just the right amount”, is part of Swedish culture and has effortlessly graduated to the workplace.

The goal is to significantly lower stress levels by introducing ways to find balance in all aspects of people’s everyday lives. Besides regulations dealing with family life, working time reorganisation has been mainstreamed with around 60% of workers enjoying flexitime and/or teleworking arrangements, some 20% more than the European average.   

“Lagom” is epitomised by a particular leadership method that is used in ten of the country’s largest firms. It is centred on a responsible approach from managers who “are coached to not burn out their staff by planning in advance and prioritising better; many company decisions are made collaboratively but staff are encouraged to leave early on occasion. By feeling trusted, they are likely to go above and beyond at the times the business most needs it”. This involves true teamwork with all employees being more informed for the decision making process.

The quality of the working environment is a mainstay of the Swedish strategy and an organisation has been set up, endowed with its own resources, to ensure that this quality is subject to ongoing improvements.

Forte is a research council founded in 2011 which has been advising the government on wellbeing and health in the workplace since 2013. In late 2016, it unveiled a ten-year national research programme.

In respect of operational considerations, public and private sector employers have access to Arbetsmiljöverket, the Swedish Work Environment Authority, which is primarily tasked with ensuring compliance with legislation. However, as from 1 June 2018, they will be able to use the services of a new work environment agency, Myndighet för arbetsmiljökunskap, which will be based in Gävle and which will help them implement measures relating to the quality of the working environment, and will be responsible for assessing these measures.