Should we thank the Vikings for our holidays? A short journey through Nordic holiday traditions and why they are so important

Bli med på en liten reise gjennom historien om ferie i Norden hvor vi ser på hvor ferien kanskje har sine tidlige røtter. Er ferie mer enn bare avslapning og rekreasjon? Er det en katalystor for et sunnere, mer bærekraftig og et mer produktivt arbeidsmiljø? Vi tar en titt på historien og ferie lovverket som gjelder i dag.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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/

Bonus: A bit about holiday requirements in Norway

According to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority, all employees are entitled to at least 25 working days' holiday each year. Since Saturday is counted as a working day, this normally means that the employee is entitled to four weeks and one day of vacation each calendar year.

A few things the employer should know:

You should always discuss vacation scheduling with the employee before setting the time for vacation.
  • You have the final say when it comes to deciding when in the main holiday period employees should take their holiday.

Couple of things the employee should know:

  • You are not free to decide when to take vacation.
  • Have you asked your employer for a specific time for your vacation? Remember that you are entitled to know the time of your holiday two months before the holiday you have applied for starts.
Are you or have you been ill during your holiday? Remember that you must present a claim and medical certificate to your employer to have your holiday postponed.


*More information about holiday rules and legislation can be found on the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority's website here.


 

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