Apotek Hjärtat, a major Swedish pharmacy chain, is piloting a "friendcare" scheme offering employees paid time off to combat loneliness, a move coinciding with increased government calls for businesses to address social isolation. The pilot program, which began in April, grants 11 participants 15 minutes per week, or one hour per month, during working hours to focus on strengthening friendships or making new connections.

Yasmine Lindberg, a 45-year-old pharmacy worker at Apotek Hjärtat's Kalmar retail park outlet, is participating in the scheme. Lindberg stated she had been feeling "quite lonely" since separating from her partner four years ago, leading to fewer social engagements. She noted that her shifts left her with little time or energy to socialize.

The financial impact of the "friendship hour" on Apotek Hjärtat remains to be seen. The company has not disclosed the total cost of the pilot program, but the initiative represents a direct investment in employee well-being. The program's success will be measured by its impact on employee morale, productivity, and retention rates.

Sweden's government has been increasingly vocal about the role businesses can play in tackling loneliness, framing it as a societal issue with potential economic consequences. Social isolation has been linked to decreased productivity and increased healthcare costs.

The Apotek Hjärtat pilot program is an example of a company proactively addressing this issue. While the program is currently limited to a small group of employees, its potential expansion could influence other companies in Sweden and beyond to adopt similar initiatives. The results of the pilot will be closely monitored to determine its effectiveness and scalability.