Friendship Hour:' This Swedish company is giving its employees money and time off to hang out with their friends
Making friends as an adult can be very difficult. Many adults are busy with work, family, and daily responsibilities, and they often feel too tired to meet friends. Because of this, loneliness has become a serious problem. The World Health Organization has described loneliness as a global public health concern.
In Sweden, one large pharmacy company called Apotek Hjärtat has started a new program to help reduce loneliness among its workers. The program is called “friendcare,” and it was created after the Swedish government encouraged businesses to help fight loneliness.
Through the program, employees are given 15 minutes a week during work hours to focus on friendships. They can call a friend, send messages, or meet someone in person. The company also gives participants 1,000 kronor (about $100) each year to help pay for social activities.
One employee, Yasmine Lindberg, said the program helped her feel happier. She explained that after work, she often feels tired and lonely, especially after her divorce. The friendship time encouraged her to make more effort to connect with others instead of spending all her time online.
Although the program is still small, early results show higher life satisfaction among participants. Apotek Hjärtat hopes this idea will inspire other companies to support employees’ social and emotional well-being. Experts say small actions, like sending a message or spending time with friends, can make a big difference in reducing loneliness.
Source : https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/sweden-friendship-hour |
