Swedish Pharmacy Boosts Staff Friendships

Quick Smiles:

• Apotek Hjärtat is giving employees time to foster friendships.
• Staff receive up to $100 annually for friend-making activities.
• The “Friend Care” policy was inspired by efforts to combat loneliness.

In Sweden, pharmacy chain Apotek Hjärtat has started a unique trial that gives employees dedicated time during work hours to nurture social connections.

The initiative comes after a government study showed that 8% of Swedish adults lack a close friend, highlighting a widespread issue of loneliness.

Through the “Friend Care” program, employees are granted 15 minutes daily, or up to an hour monthly, to make a call, meet someone, or simply chat with colleagues, and are offered $100 annually to support these efforts.

Monica Magnusson, CEO of Apotek Hjärtat, explained that the trial grew from an earlier project teaching pharmacists to recognize loneliness in customers and help those who might feel isolated.

The policy, playfully called “vänvård,” focuses on building social bonds, with staff encouraged to engage in activities that promote friendship and connection.

Employee Yasmine Lindberg shared that having dedicated time for social interaction has helped her overcome feelings of loneliness and motivated her to make plans outside work.

Swedish psychologist Daniel Ek noted,

“The Swedish mentality is like, you shouldn’t disturb others. We value personal space a lot, and we have a hard time breaking the ice.”

This thoughtful approach demonstrates how small changes at work can promote well-being and support staff in building meaningful relationships.

Every effort counts toward bringing people together, and the simple gift of time can make a wonderful difference.

Source