Swedish Pharmacies Give Workers Paid 'Friendship Hour' to Fight Loneliness

In Sweden, a new idea is being tested to help workers feel less lonely. The pharmacy company Apotek Hjärtat is letting some of its employees take a 'friendship hour' during their work week. This means that workers can use 15 minutes each week, or an hour each month, during their paid work time to focus on their friendships. They can use this time to call a friend, send messages, or even meet up with someone in person. The goal is to help people feel more connected and less isolated, especially since loneliness has become a bigger problem in Sweden and other countries.

One of the workers trying this new plan is Yasmine Lindberg, who works at a pharmacy in Kalmar. She says that after her shift, she is usually too tired to see her friends. Since she separated from her partner, she has felt lonelier, even though she spends time with her teenage children. The 'friendcare' program gives her a reason to reach out to friends and make new connections. She says it makes her feel happier and more motivated to do things outside of work. Each person in the program also gets 1,000 kronor, which is about 100 dollars, to spend on activities with friends. They also receive online training about how to recognize and deal with loneliness.

The company started this project after working with a mental health charity. They learned that even short conversations between pharmacists and customers could help people feel less alone. Now, they want to see if giving employees time to focus on friendships will improve their well-being. The company’s CEO, Monica Magnusson, says that the project is similar to other wellness programs in Sweden, but instead of focusing on exercise, it focuses on relationships. The Swedish government is also interested in this idea. They have made a national plan to fight loneliness and want businesses to help. Health Minister Jakob Forssmed says that loneliness can lead to health problems and cost the country money. He thinks companies should care because their workers and customers can be affected by loneliness.

Research shows that about 14 percent of people in Sweden feel lonely some or all of the time, which is a bit higher than the average in the European Union. Another study found that 8 percent of adults in Sweden do not have a close friend. Experts say that the cold, dark winters and the Swedish culture of valuing personal space can make it harder for people to make friends. Many people in Sweden live alone, which can also increase feelings of loneliness.

Other companies in Sweden are also trying new ways to help people connect. For example, some businesses are giving workers money to go to concerts or plays together. The hope is that these activities will help people feel more included and less lonely. Psychologists say these programs can help people start new friendships and feel less isolated. However, they also say it is important to look at bigger issues, like how cities are built, how much time people spend on their phones, and differences in income. These things can also affect how easy it is for people to make friends.

The 'friendship hour' program is still new, but early results show that workers who take part feel more satisfied with their lives. Other companies are interested in the idea, and some have joined a network to share ideas about fighting loneliness. The Swedish Health Minister is watching the project closely to see if it could be used in other businesses. For now, the hope is that giving people time and support to build friendships will help them feel happier and healthier.