28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland: What work is like in the world's happiest country -- "they essentially force you to take a vacation"
&nbs
... What work is like in the world's happiest country ...
While I never worked in Finland, I did have responsibilities for a company in The Netherlands at one point in my career. The Netherlands is ranked as the 6th happiest country ( www.afar.com ).
One of the things I notices a I visited a couple cities and went out into the countryside during my many business visit to the country.
The people there were a happy folk. Everyone I met and everyone I talked with, smiles everywhere. It was even before I had known about these "happiest country" ratings. My impression whenever I visited was, wow, these people are so happy.
It was an odd experience.
@#14 ... There is less stress and anxiety in many of these European countries because they have universal health care, low citizen access to firearms, living wages, robust social security nets, as well as affordable pharmaceuticals and free college. ...
The workplace in The Netherlands was a huge change for me. My manager had told (bordering upon warned) me to be prepared, so it was not a surprise, just a change.
The people who worked for me were great. So focused upon accomplishing their goals. To the point that they asked me rather direct questions. OK, stunningly direct questions. Once I got over the initial surprise, I found the subsequent conversations to be knowledgeable and very informative. I learned a lot by listening instead of managerial commanding. (to which I say "thank-you" to the Effecting Listening course that was a part of the General Electric Management Training Program I was in back in the day).
Another aspect of the workplace in The Netherlands, stated simply, the employees of a company get to elect members of the ~board~ of that company.
Works council or staff representation
business.gov.nl
... Does your company employ 10 people or more? You need to set up a works council (ondernemingsraad, OR), staff representation (personeelsvertegenwoordiging, PVT), or hold staff meetings (personeelsvergadering, PV). It depends on the number of employees which type of representation of you need to set up. ...
When I talked with the people on that works council, I found them to be quite focused upon the good and benefit of the company. To them, it did not seem to me to be, ~what can I get~ but more of ~how can we make this company better.~
So, another reason for the happiness.
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