"Sweden has long been a laboratory for initiatives to strike a better work-life balance, but still ensure high productivity. Many Swedish offices use a system of flexible work hours, and parental leave and child care policies there are among the world’s most generous," says the New York Times.

The idea of working in Swedish company is just too ideal. But, before enjoying the benefit of the working environment, spare some times to learn about several unique characterisics of its, so you won't be shocked why find out that things “work” quite different than in your own country.

Matthias Kamann, owner of Hej, Sweden, a page providing facts and tips about Swedish culture for expats and tourists in Sweden offers 8 advices on adapting to your Swedish workplace.

1. Flat hierarchies

When you hand in your CV to apply for a job, don’t waste time on collecting and attaching old documents. A few phone numbers to previous employers are enough. Your new boss or human ressource personell will probably rather put more emphasis on what people have to say about how you work than what grade you have on your school graduation certificate.

Illustrative photo: HowtobeSwedish.com.

Share your ideas with your boss about how you would solve an issue. He or she will show appreciation for your attempts (even if he or she probably will not follow up on them) and give you at least the feeling that you have an impact on the decision making process.

2. Dress casually at work

Sweden is one of the European countries where a casual dress code is the most popular in the work place. However, for business appointments you should dress more conservatively. Swedes themselves are usually fashionably well-dressed in public. Appropriate clothes would be a dark suit and tie for men, and a business suit or skirt and blouse for women. Trousers are also acceptable for businesswomen in Sweden. Swedes value quality and that is also true when it comes to clothes.

Illustrative photo: The Local Sweden.

You should remember that there are four distinct seasons in Sweden. This should be taken into account when planning what to wear. During the height of summer, the weather can be hot and humid. The long winter requires appropriate winter clothes: heavy coats, warm gloves, hats, and boots. As is the case throughout all the Nordic countries, the colder weather allows women, and sometimes men, to wear heavy boots to work, and then to change into more comfortable office shoes. Because it is cold in Sweden, be prepared to dress in layers.

3. Be a punctual worker

If you are working in Sweden or a Swedish-based entity, punctuality is very important both when doing business and making social engagements. Scheduling and planning are sometimes mentioned as part of the Swedish ‘way of life’. Therefore, please make sure you come punctually to work, and leave work punctually, too.

Illustrative photo: The Newbie Guide Sweden.

When you have an appointment for a meeting at work at 10.00. Be there rather a few minutes before than only one minute too late. If you happen to come too late, the whole group will punish you with very subtle looks, telling you you messed up. The only time Swedes accept a wait is for dental or medical appointments.

Remember: being late is seen as poor etiquette. If you must be late for any reason it is polite to phone and let someone know.

4. Work overtime, but only if absolutely necessary

“We thought doing a shorter workweek would mean we’d have to hire more, but it hasn’t resulted in that because everyone works more efficiently,” said Maria Brath, who founded an Internet search optimization start-up in Stockholm three years ago based on a six-hour day. The company, which has 20 employees, has doubled its revenue and profit each year, says the New York Times.

“Since we work fewer hours, we are constantly figuring out ways to do more with our time,” Ms. Brath said.

Working overtime is not appreciated in Sweden. Illustrative photo: Sweden.se

People often perceive overtime work means you are very hardworking. However, in Sweden, most bosses won’t expect you to work overtime. Overtime is uncommon among most office jobs, unless a big project is on the table, of course. But otherwise, work exactly those hours you’re supposed to. Working extra very often, to impress your boss, will only tell him or her that you can’t manage your work load very well, it also increases the risk for the company that you could burn out, have more days of sick leave and feel overall less satisfied with your current work place. Most Swedish work places want you to feel good and not squeeze that last drop of working power out of you.

5. Work hard, but try to stressa inte för mycket, don’t stress too much

Since Swedes are conscious about others (and their own) well-being, they are good at keeping an eye on whether their colleagues are stressing out too much or have at least as much to do as themselves.

If you discover some incorrect behavior among your colleagues, make sure to report it to your closest workplace friend to skvallra om det, gossip about it. But definitely not to your boss (who actually would be able to improve the situation). You don’t want a conflict, do you?

6. It’s unusual to blend colleagues with “private” friends

Yes, you might go for an afterwork with your colleagues some day. But the atmosphere probably will be far less relaxed than with your personal friends.

Many Swedes draw a distinct line between work- and private life. It’s rather uncommon that Swedes want to blend good old friends from school or university with their new colleagues from the marketing department. The first time your working colleagues meet your friends will probably be on your wedding (or funeral).

7. Start thinking in week-numbers when you make appointments

It's quite different from other culture when it comes to scheduling an appointment in Sweden.

When you make an appointment in, say, a couple of months get used to saying the week number first.

Niklas: Nästa möte… vad sägs om vecka 35?

Next meeting… what about week 35?

Louise: Tyvärr, då är jag på Kreta med min sambo. Men vecka 37 skulle passar utmärkt.

Unfortunately, I’ll be on Crete then. But week 37 would fit perfectly.

8. Address your boss with his or her first name

Hello Marie!”

“Hi, Peter! How are you doing today?”

“I’m good, thanks? How was your weekend, Marie?”

As the Swede appreciate flat hierachy, what you’ve just read could have been a daily conversation between a staff member and a CEO.

After being recruited by a Swedish company, get used to greet your boss with his/her first name. For example “God morgon, Bengt!” (Good morning, Bengt!) or “Hej Ann-Marie” (Hello, Ann-Marie!).

To become more Swedish, you have to get over your fear that it might be perceived as disrespectful behavior to address your boss with Ann-Marie. She is used to it./.

( VNF )