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You are here: Home i In Focus i In focus 2018 i Theme: New Nordic perspectives on the work environment i 18 recommendations to improve Danish work environments

18 recommendations to improve Danish work environments

Workplaces should be more centre stage in the work to improve work environments. That is the recommendation from an expert committee appointed by the Danish government, tasked with turning around negative workplace developments.
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The committee’s recommendations

Report

The expert committee on measures for the work environment published the report “A new and improved work environment. Considerations and recommendations” in September 2018. 

The report includes 18 recommendations for how to strengthen work environments, divided into four main areas:

A common goal:The government and the social partners will identify common goals for good work environments, taking into account the current problems in workplaces, so that employers, leaders, employees and others pull in the same direction.

Focusing on inspections and more guidance:The labour inspection authority will focus on workplaces with the highest risk of working environment problems, and act to solve those problems. The inspection authority will also provide more guidance.

Clarity surrounding rules and bigger fines: Rules should be accessible and understandable, and there should be greater economic incentives to prevent work environment problems.

Strategy for research:A new strategy for work environment  research and knowledge should be developed. 

The committee has sought inspiration from other countries, including Sweden and Norway.

Facts about Danish work environments

Danes have experienced large changes to their work environments from 2012 to 2016 – mostly for the worse:

  • Ca 17% more workers report that they suffer from psychological strains, e.g. emotional demands, time pressure, bullying or violence. They also experience symptoms like stress or depression. 
  • Ca 15% more workers report that they have been subject to physical stress at work, and that they have experience pain and tiredness after work.
  • Nearly half of recognised occupational illnesses recorded in the period were related to skin, cancer and lung disease, which often occur as a result of exposure to chemicals.
  • The number of serious workplace accidents have fallen by 18%, but it is still higher than in a country like Sweden.

Since 2011 it has been a political priority to reduce the number of people experiencing psychological and physical stress.

Source: “A new and improved work environment. Considerations and recommendations”.

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