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Danish workplace culture and work permit

and work permit

Danish workplace culture

Be aware of the cultural differences when you start a new job in Denmark. This will ease your process of integrating yourself into the workplace and help you connect better with your Danish colleagues. Furthermore, depending on your citizenship, different rules apply when you’re looking for a job in Denmark.

and work permit

Danish workplace culture

Be aware of the cultural differences when you start a new job in Denmark. This will ease your process of integrating yourself into the workplace and help you connect better with your Danish colleagues. Furthermore, depending on your citizenship, different rules apply when you’re looking for a job in Denmark.

What is the tone and management like in a Danish workplace?

Denmark's work culture and professional environments can be challenging for internationals. We completely understand - everything is new and different!

Don't worry if you feel that you are struggling. It's normal!

Danish professional behaviour can be relaxed and informal. Irony and sarcasm is a normal way to communicate in Denmark - even at workplaces - so if you don’t understand what is being said or implied, please just ask.

Flat hierarchy and the importance of punctuality

In a Danish company, most expats experience a much more informal tone.

• Everyone, including the management, is known by their first name
• Titles seem unimportant
• The dress code is often casual, neat and simple clean clothes
• Having a good sense of humour is valued - often, it is even listed as a requirement in job ads

Teamwork in Danish workplaces

A lot of work is done through projects, where teamwork is the cornerstone of the process. Everybody is expected to contribute and there is an equal distribution of labour as well as responsibility. Being able to show initiative and speak up about challenges is important.

Management in Danish workplaces

Danish companies often have a flat hierarchy, and many decisions are made by the employees. Managers usually act more like coaches than instructors. It may be a bit difficult for foreigners to work within this informal environment. The manager trusts that everyone is doing their jobs. They may act like a friend in a relaxed atmosphere, but you are responsible to do your tasks and meet the deadlines.

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Don't be afraid to ask for help! It shows that you are professional and want to learn and improve as well as get input from your manager or colleagues in order to get the best possible result for the company. It's freedom with responsibility.

The online course helps you understand the Danish working culture

In the e-learning course, you can e.g. learn about the Danish working culture and intercultural communication.

Read about the online course about job and career

How can I create value for Danish companies?

Being an international student or graduate means that you have language skills and understanding of cultures in other countries, which can be very relevant for Danish employers doing business internationally – and this is an area where you can clearly distinguish yourself from Danes!

If you e.g. are Chinese, you both speak the language and know the do's and don'ts when collaborating with Chinese as well as you have your knowledge and experience from your education. This is extremely valuable for a Danish company wishing to expand its business to China.

Besides your native language, your second language might also be very relevant. So please take time to research relevant companies, see what markets the company is already involved with, and sell your expertise of becoming their future international employee!

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Aggi's advice: Learn Danish

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Aggi's advice: Learn Danish

What if I don't speak Danish?

In general, learning to speak Danish is key when you live and work in Denmark - and especially if you are searching for a job.

Even though almost all Danes are close to fluent in English, they tend to prefer speaking Danish with their co-workers, especially in the break room.

Not understanding any Danish might leave you feeling excluded and isolated. However, if you remind your colleagues of your presence, most of them will of course switch back to a common language.

Some companies provide language courses for expats and there are also different language schools around the country.

You may feel some pressure to do well with your studies, having a great student job as well as study Danish, but remember that Danes appreciate effort! Learning Danish at an professional level may be an impossible task while you study. What makes the difference is your attitude: that you are trying and making progress. Keep your spirits up and stay motivated.

Where can I learn Danish?

"If you decide on staying in Denmark for at least a year or two, and you want to develop your career and life in Denmark, then I would strongly recommend that you learn Danish as fast as possible. Even though Danes are nice and the majority speak English, being able to speak Danish will help you a lot. I think that Danes appreciate that you try – no matter how many mistakes you make."

"I felt a bit discouraged in the beginning as Danes would switch to English as soon as they would hear my accent, but I bravely kept on insisting, making mistakes before I started mastering my Danish. My persistence has proved valuable in developing a local network. I charmed a couple of Danes with my limited knowledge of their language, who later introduced me to their friends."

"As a new graduate from AAU, I was also an international in Denmark; I had a fundamental language barrier. In general, I can always recommend that you acquire language skills in Danish – this will expand your opportunities in the Danish labour market significantly. To be able to speak Danish is crucial for entering the skilled labour market."

Work-life balance

In Denmark
Ideally, securing and having a job is not an objective in itself, but should emphasise balance between the time and energy you spend in the job and your spare time. This is called work-life balance. It can be difficult to see if a balance is possible to achieve based on a job description when looking for a job. However, there are some points to know about the Danish workplace culture when it comes to maintaining a work-life balance.
Working hours in Danish workplaces
In Denmark, a normal business week usually contains 37 hours with office hours Monday – Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm. However, many academics also tend to work a bit more.

The majority of academic positions have great flexibility when it comes to working hours. Often, it is possible to work from a home office or leave early for a family event one day and then just catch up on lost hours later. Generally, as long as you get the job done and meet deadlines, you will be able to plan your schedule the way it suits you and your family best.
Social life at Danish workplaces
Social activities at work are often planned in the form of Summer or Christmas parties, some companies practice joint breakfast or afternoon tea on Fridays.

Very few Danes socialise with their colleagues outside of work, and you cannot take this personally. The Danes value their spare time because it allows them to do sports, take their children to after school activities etc.

How to meet and understand Danes

  • If you participate in planning social events you will meet Danes and international in a more informal way.
  • Be curious about Danish traditions and ways of doing things – share you own traditions.
  • Make use of baking skills, bonding over cake and coffee can brighten any rainy day. Food and sweets build a common language in any environment – in your studies or workplace.
  • Joining sports clubs will bring many valuable connections. You never know who you can meet! Danes value health, exercise and staying active.
  • Doing volunteer work and showing that you are participating and contributing in your community.

If you are new in town, get to know people by volunteering or joining a club or association where you can practice a hobby of yours – and of course invite your colleagues over for coffee and cake.

Never give up. Be the one who takes first steps, even if it is more than once.

What do I need to know?

Rules about working in Denmark

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