Apotek Hjärtat, a major Swedish pharmacy chain, is piloting a "friendcare" scheme offering employees paid time off to combat loneliness, a program that began in April and involves 11 participants. The initiative grants participants like Yasmine Lindberg, a 45-year-old pharmacy worker in Kalmar, 15 minutes per week, or an hour per month, during work hours to focus on strengthening friendships or making new ones.
Lindberg, who works shifts at the company's Kalmar outlet, stated that she had been feeling "quite lonely" since separating from her partner four years ago. "I'm really tired when I go home. I don't have time or energy to meet my friends," she explained, highlighting the challenges of balancing work and social life.
The Swedish government has called on businesses to play a role in tackling loneliness, prompting companies like Apotek Hjärtat to explore innovative solutions. The financial impact of the "friendcare" scheme is currently limited to the cost of approximately one hour of paid time off per month per participating employee. However, the company anticipates potential long-term benefits in terms of employee well-being and productivity, which could positively influence its market performance.
While the pilot program is small, it reflects a growing awareness of the impact of loneliness on employee health and productivity. The initiative's success will be measured by employee feedback and its potential to reduce feelings of isolation among participants. Apotek Hjärtat will evaluate the results of the pilot program to determine whether to expand the scheme to other locations and employees.
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