This Swedish workplace is now paying employees to spend time with friends

Loneliness isn't something you take lightly; in fact, the Swedish government seems quite serious about it. A major pharmacy chain, Apotek Hjärtat, is apparently giving its employees paid time off during official hours to spend with friends, according to a BBC report on December 30. As of now, 11 participants are a part of the "friendcare" scheme that reportedly began in April, allowing employees to take 15 to 60 minutes off from work every week, and focus on making new connections or strengthening existing friendships.

The pharmacy is also providing its employees with nearly $100 to help them pay for friendship-based activities for a trial year. But wait, that's not all! The participants, along with all 4,000 employees across Sweden, are also receiving online training to identify and tackle loneliness. Monica Magnusson, Apotek Hjärtat's CEO, told the BBC that the idea behind the 'friendcare' scheme is partially influenced by a previous collaboration with a mental health charity. The association helped them understand how small, meaningful interactions between pharmacists and customers can make the latter group feel less isolated. The pharmacy, hence, wanted to test the effects on its employees by giving them some time off to socialize.

Many Swedish businesses are known to give their workers a tax-free annual wellness allowance to spend on fitness activities or massages. Magnusson said that the friendcare scheme is also an addition to that, except it targets loneliness and relationships instead. The project is still at a very initial level, but an early assessment has shown improvements in the life satisfaction of the participants. Interestingly, Jakob Forssmed, the Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, is closely monitoring the company's efforts to fight loneliness. "I think this is very interesting, and I'm following what they're doing, [but] I'm not going to give you any promises that the government is going to scale this up or give a tax deduction or something like that," he explained.

Work commitments make it impossible to spend time with friends and family. In fact, the 2020 Doodle Work-Life Balance survey revealed astonishing details about Americans' missing out on important milestones because of work. While 28% of respondents reported missing a family member or close friend's wedding, almost a third couldn't attend a graduation. The same survey found that the maximum number of Americans (45%) often missed birthday celebrations, and 26% of working parents even missed their child’s first words while working overtime. Considering the current scenario, it's safe to say that America must think about adapting the Swedish company's friendcare scheme. 

While some people loved Sweden's initiative to eradicate loneliness, others called it an absurd and superficial approach to neglecting a serious issue; for instance, @mysteriousfaiz commented, "That's an interesting approach. Taking time at work to connect with others could really help reduce loneliness and boost morale." Similarly, @rektneko wrote, "Tiny things like this change the texture of a day. Maybe that’s what real connection looks like." However, @frakkjason47117, who had a different perspective about it, shared, "Scheduled friendship? Only Sweden could make combating loneliness sound like a mandatory team-building exercise. Let's hope that faint smile isn't just politely enduring the hour of mandated camaraderie." @francisjd13 commented, "Swedish friendship hour is a waste of time; loneliness needs real solutions, not gimmicks. Data backs this up."

More on Scoop Upworthy

A recovering workaholic confesses why 'time with your kids is non-refundable' — and parents felt that

Company’s 'Holiday Hugs' surprise reunites employees with loved ones they miss the most

Employee forced to work through holidays he planned to spend time with kids, resigns & makes company pay