Most loyal in Europe (work ethics is making Scandinavia rich)

www.aftenposten.no ^ | 05/25/2007 | www.aftenposten.no

[WesternCulture]

Norwegians have the highest job loyalty in Europe, and all of the Nordic countries are happy at work. The European Employee Index (EEI) survey carried out by Danish consultancy Ennova, covered 20 European nations. The EEI showed that besides being loyal, in terms of job enjoyment Norwegians were second only to Danes.

"We are part of a Nordic tradition of cooperative relations in the work place that is completely unique in an international context," said *Even Bolstad, head of HR Norway, Ennova's cooperative partner in the survey.

"The five Nordic nations are all in the top ten in all categories pertaining to quality of life and competitiveness. We thrive at home and at work, and are productive at the same time," Bolstad told management newspaper Ukeavisen Ledelse.

Bolstad told the newspaper that he believes the Nordic management style is special, both in a European and global context.

"Nordic bosses largely manage through trust and conduct, and not via learned techniques or by being authoritarian. Soft values create hard cash. It goes against all economic theory and is a management style that other countries can't make work. I meet Germans and Englishmen who shake their heads and cannot understand that it works at all," Bolstad said.

[tomjohn77]

I agree that many people work much more hours than a standard week. A lot of overtime. I have three friends in IT business. Sales and consultants. None of them work less than 40 hours. Two of them probably work 50 or more hours and the last one maybe around 70 hours a week.

[Mr. Jeeves]

You should know by now that you simply can't post anything on Free Republic suggesting that Americans aren't the best in the world at everything they touch without attracting all sorts of vulgar abuse. ;)

[MSF BU]

True. Try to buy a three bedroom 2000 sq ft home on an acre with an inground pool in Luxemborg or Sweden and see how much it costs in terms of after tax pay.

[MSF BU]

I don’t think there is much post-oil future for the Saudi’s regardless of what they do, unless somebody figures out VERY cheap desalination methods along with a use for all of their sunshine. Now, they’d be in clover if solar energy ever became inexpensive.