Apotek Hjärtat, a major Swedish pharmacy chain, is piloting a "friendcare" scheme offering employees paid time off to combat loneliness, a move coinciding with the Swedish government's call for businesses to address social isolation. Eleven employees, including 45-year-old pharmacy worker Yasmine Lindberg, are participating in the trial program, which began in April. Lindberg, who works at the company's Kalmar retail park outlet, receives 15 minutes per week, or one hour per month, of paid time to dedicate to strengthening friendships or forming new ones.

Lindberg stated that she often felt too tired after work to socialize, and that she had experienced increased loneliness since separating from her partner four years ago. The "friendcare" initiative aims to alleviate this by integrating social connection into the workday.

The financial impact of the scheme on Apotek Hjärtat remains to be seen. The company has not yet released specific figures on the cost of the program, but the investment reflects a growing awareness of the economic consequences of loneliness, including decreased productivity and increased healthcare costs. While the 15 minutes per week per employee may seem minimal, aggregated across the company's workforce, it represents a potentially significant investment in employee well-being.

The pilot program comes as Sweden grapples with increasing concerns about social isolation. The Swedish government has been actively encouraging businesses to implement initiatives that promote social connection among employees. Other companies are watching the Apotek Hjärtat trial with interest, as the results could influence future workplace policies and benefit programs.

The current status of the pilot program is ongoing, and Apotek Hjärtat plans to evaluate its effectiveness based on employee feedback and metrics related to employee well-being and productivity. The company will then determine whether to expand the program to other locations and potentially increase the allocated time for "friendcare."