A one-year pilot project in Copenhagen has shown that giving municipal employees greater freedom to choose their working hours can lead to higher job satisfaction and better public service. Around 300 workers participated in the voluntary scheme, which allowed them to compress workweeks, save up for extra days off, or adopt other customised schedules.
The project was implemented in various municipal departments, including Children and Youth Dental Services, which extended opening hours as a result. This enabled more students to access dental care outside school hours and allowed parents to attend appointments without taking time off work.
Increased motivation and employee wellbeing
According to a municipal report, 78% of participants reported increased motivation following the schedule adjustments. Many also said the change had given them new opportunities in their private lives. As one respondent noted,
“The weekend can hold more than just practical chores when it lasts an extra day.”
Supporters of the scheme, such as Troels Christian Jakobsen from Alternativet, say the initiative is about freedom and modernising public workplaces. “We want employees to have more say in their daily work lives,” Jakobsen stated. “Now that we know what works, we should offer this to all municipal employees.”
Cross-party support and budget negotiations
The Employment and Integration Mayor of Copenhagen, Jens-Kristian Lütken (Venstre), also expressed support, underlining that such flexibility could help tackle the labour shortage in the public sector.
“We aim to make Copenhagen Municipality an attractive workplace,” Lütken said.
The proposal to expand flexible hours will be included in upcoming budget negotiations, with the aim of turning the pilot into a permanent, citywide option.
Trade union calls for voluntariness
The trade union HK Kommunal welcomed the experiment but stressed the importance of keeping participation voluntary. President Lene Roed emphasised that not all employees prefer alternative schedules and that workplaces should engage in dialogue to find the best balance between flexibility and teamwork.
Other municipalities in Denmark have run similar trials, indicating a broader interest in rethinking traditional public sector schedules. With Copenhagen’s results now documented, the city may serve as a model for flexible work in local government across the country.
