Advertisement

Sweden: hard at work or hardly working?

The Local Sweden
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Sweden: hard at work or hardly working?

Swedes have a reputation for studying longer, working fewer hours and enjoying more holiday leave than people in most other comparable countries, while others argue that the careerism rat race has taken hold. What do you think?

Advertisement

In a new series on The Local, readers are invited to have their say on a topic of the day or week, a perennial hot topic of conversation, or just a subject that engages, outrages or needs a broader airing.

First up this week is the evergreen issue of the Swedish work ethic, which has long caused consternation and evoked the curiosity of international workers moving to these northerly climes.

In a classic article on The Local from back in 2008, US native Doug Lansky, came to the conclusion that full-time Swedish workers could in theory claim up to 130 days off per year and pondered this encouraged a work-shy attitude.

Arguing from a distinctly different point of view, 28-year-old Stockholm resident Andreas Jonsson, argues in The Local this week that Swedish working life has become so status-stressed and careerist that it has left a generation unable to find satisfaction in their career choice mediocrity.

As the eurozone debt crisis continues to rage, the Swedish economy has been regularly held up as a pond of probity and health in a European sea of debt and decadence.

With national debt and unemployment levels relatively low, and GDP stable, is the Swedish work ethic a contributing factor, or a hindrance to greater growth, wealth and success?

Registered users may add answers using the comment field below. If you haven't yet registered, you may do so here - it's free and only takes a moment.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also