What's the secret to a happy work-life balance in Denmark?

Gabriel Joses repeats one word seven times when discussing what it's like to work in Denmark – “trust”.

“No one is trying to micromanage you or look over your shoulder,” says Jose, who works for a technology firm in Copenhagen. “Bosses don't come to check if you're working eight or nine hours a day, because they only care if you've completed your projects.

“There is a lot of trust in Denmark that way and I don't feel a hierarchy in my work. Everything is very democratic.”

It is no surprise to Mr Hoces, a married father of two young daughters, that Denmark consistently ranks in the top five countries in the world for work-life balance rankings.

Only 1.1% of Danes have to work 50 or more hours per week, according to latest world figures by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is a significantly lower share than the world average of 10.2%.

In contrast, the UK figure is 10.8% and the USA is 10.4%.

Meik Viking, author of the book The Art of Danish Living, has long held his homeland as a prime example of what other countries should strive to emulate with their workplace policies.

“The Danes are actually happy at work,” he told the BBC. “Almost 60% of Danes say they would continue working if they won the lottery and became financially independent.”

Mr. Wiking, who is also the head of the Danish think tank The Happiness Research Institute, shares several policies that help generate a strong work-life balance in Denmark.

These include the right to a minimum of five weeks paid holiday per year, in addition to public holidays. In the UK, most workers have the right up to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, but in the US it can be as low as only 11 days.

Denmark also offers very generous pay for six months maternity and paternity leave. In the UK, the father or non-birth partner usually receives one to two weeks on paid leave.

In the US, there is only a federal guarantee for unpaid parental leave, although some states, such as California, now offer paid time off after the birth of a child.

Mr. Wiking is another Dane who cites the concept of bosses trusting their employees to do the right thing. He used the example of staff at Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens amusement park, where they observe the three-metre rule.

The idea is that you are the CEO of everything within a three meter radius. “If you see rubbish within three meters you pick it up and if you see a guest looking for something you stop and ask if you can help,” says Mr Wiking.

He adds that when employees take ownership of their own space, it can help them feel empowered and valued, which greatly contributes to a healthy workplace attitude.

Janine Leschke, a professor in the Department of Management, Society and Communication at Copenhagen Business School, says that Denmark is definitely “not a work culture where you have to show up and be available all day, all evening to show, that working hard all the time”.

Instead, she says flexibility during the workday gives employees the time they need to, say, pick up their children from school or daycare. “The day doesn't have to officially end at five or six, and that's attractive to many Danes with children.”

Mr Hoces has noted how some employers in the US may expect their employees to be available on weekends to respond to the odd email or message. This kind of overtime doesn't fit into his perspective of a positive work-life balance.

“If I was expected to take calls on the weekend, that would be a huge red flag for me and I would probably change jobs,” he says. “But so far, that hasn't happened to me or anyone I know.”

Kasper Ruschmann, Copenhagen-based CEO and founder of tech firm SparkForce, says his laid-back leadership style would be familiar to most Danes. “You don't have to ask me to leave early,” he says. “No one takes advantage of my kindness.”

Mr Rouchmann adds that the element of trust is so ingrained in Danish culture that visitors to Denmark are often horrified at how far it can go. He also highlights Denmark's generous welfare state and the fact that businesses have to contribute funds compensation of staff who have been made redundant.

“If you lose your job, the government is there to help you,” adds Mr Rushman.

As much as other countries can learn from Denmark's work-life balance, he says there are some downsides. “Some people can rely too much on that safety net and that can tell them they shouldn't take real risks, so we can be less proactive than the US.”

Samantha Saxby, an American human resources expert, says Denmark has such a good work-life balance because the country “prioritises collective well-being”.

In contrast, she says, the US has “long emphasized individual achievement and ambition, which has driven tremendous innovation, but often at the expense of work-life balance.”

Still, Ms. Saxby, who is marketing director for the US National Association for Human Resources, says companies in the US and elsewhere around the world may finally be following the example of Denmark and other similarly lucky Scandinavian nations.

“Progressive organizations are introducing benefits like unlimited paid time off, mental health days and wellness programs to encourage employees to prioritize self-care,” she says. “These measures not only ease the pressure but also show that employers value the overall wellbeing of their workforce.

“More companies are recognizing that well-rested and balanced employees bring fresh ideas, better problem-solving skills and greater engagement.” Employees begin to feel empowered to take the time they need without sacrificing career growth.”