August is here! A hopefully long and well-deserved summer vacation is coming to an end or is over. For many, vacation is associated with delicious moments and unforgettable memories. But did you know that the unique Nordic holiday traditions may be more important than you think in the workplace?
Now that we're back at work, let's take a few minutes to ponder why the sacred Nordic holiday model is so integral to our work culture. Why do we even have summer vacation? What's the story behind it? As HR managers, we're keen to see the whole picture of our employees - including their demands and needs on vacation.
First things first: Join us on a little journey through the history of vacation in the Nordics where we look at where vacation might have its early roots. Is vacation more than just relaxation and recreation? Is it a catalyst for a healthier, more sustainable and more productive work environment?
The early story: Work and rest in balance
To understand how vacation has become an integral part of our modern working life, we need to go back to the roots of Nordic culture. As far back as the Viking Age, the Norse were aware of the balance between work and rest. They celebrated festivals and holidays to mark the transitions in nature and honor the gods. This tradition of allocating time for rest and recreation could be said to be the beginning of the holiday concept.
Industrialization and the labor movement: The road to reduced working hours
In the 19th century, the Nordic region experienced rapid industrialization, which led to long working days and poor working conditions. But at the same time, the labor movement emerged to fight for workers' rights. Through hard struggles and tough strikes, they gradually achieved reductions in working hours and better working conditions.
One of the earliest examples of paid vacation was in Finland, where the Employment Contracts Act of 1922 established a norm for paid annual leave. Similar developments took place in the other Nordic countries in the years that followed.
The establishment of statutory holidays
During the 20th century, social development continued in the Nordic countries and vacation was gradually established as a statutory right. Each of the countries has its unique history when it comes to legislating vacation:
- Norway: In 1948, the Employee Vacation Act was passed, guaranteeing workers two weeks of paid vacation. Later, this right has been extended to the current five weeks of vacation.
- Sweden: In 1938, the first holiday law was introduced, guaranteeing workers five days of paid vacation. It has since been extended to five weeks.
- Denmark: In 1938, the Danish Holiday Act was passed, giving workers two weeks' paid holiday. Today, Danish workers are entitled to five weeks' holiday.
- Finland: As mentioned earlier, Finland established an early version of the Holiday Act in 1922. Today's law entitles workers to four weeks of vacation.
The effect of vacation on society: A positive change
So, what has been the effect of this progressive development of vacation in the Nordic countries? The answer is a likely society with more satisfied, productive and engaged workers. We know that productivity growth in the Nordic countries is high relative to the rest of the EU.
- Better work balance: Statutory holidays have helped to create a healthier work-life balance. This has resulted in less work-related stress and burnout, and more time to nurture family ties and personal interests.
- Increased productivity: Paradoxically, vacation can actually lead to increased productivity. When employees have time to rest and recharge, they return to work with more energy, creativity and motivation.
- Improved recruitment and retention: Companies that offer good vacation schemes become more attractive to potential employees. In addition, vacation helps build strong bonds between employers and employees, leading to increased loyalty and lower turnover.
The history of vacation in the Nordic countries is one of continuous development and improvement of workers' rights. From the early struggles of the labor movement to the establishment of statutory holidays, vacation arrangements have had a positive impact on society.
So always remember the value of vacation for your employees. It's not only a legal requirement and a benefit for the individual employee, but also positive for the business as a whole. Taking care of your employees' welfare will build a more productive, engaged and happy work environment. We in the Nordics have proof of that!
PS:Don't forget to take time to rest and have fun yourself - even HR needs some self-care 😊
https://qery.no/data-tracker-norwegian-labour-market/productivity/
