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Comment by aes256 | Hacker News Reader

> Also, as this is (presumably) in Denmark, they don't have the same itchy trigger finger as we do in the States when it comes to filing suits.

Surely you mean the Netherlands?

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This trends pretty far off-topic, but Denmark is an interesting case, in that it's very, very easy to fire someone, but there is a very strong social safety net (we're talking years of unemployment benefits) which creates a pretty distinct environment for hiring and firing.

Contrast that to most of the rest of Europe, where companies are reluctant to hire because it's so difficult to fire people.

Any Danes out there care to elaborate or correct my misunderstanding?

> in that it's very, very easy to fire someone, but there is a very social safety net (we're talking years of unemployment benefits) which creates a pretty distinct environment for hiring and firing.

This seems better for the employers and the employees than what the rest of Europe does.

Sounds hard to believe. Denmark is in the European Union, and it's EU law that gives lots of employment rights. These laws would have to be in Danish law aswell.

There are some countries (UK, Ireland) that have implemented the bare minimum of EU employment law. There are some that have implemented above and beyond (France). But Denmark wouldn't be able to ignore most of it

I found a reference for this vague memory:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/01/04/144673014/the-othe...

In 1994, Denmark modernized a system, which came to be known as "flexicurity," that offered American-style flexibility (layoffs, transitions into new lines of business) coupled with traditional European security. Laid-off workers were offered generous benefits, like 90 percent of their last salary for two years and opportunities to be retrained.

I am a Dane and this makes no sense to me. As far as I know no "benefits" like that are mandated by law. The only thing comparable I know of is during employment your employers notice will grow from 3 months to a max of 6 months (and that is after nine years of employment!). Anything in addition to that has probably been added in individual or union negotiations. Some companies may not require the employee to work during that period but many certainly do.

Edit: I am only talking about individuals. Mass layoff rules are different but I very much doubt they are any worse for the employer.

The 90% of last salary isn't correct. The rate is about 50% of an average salary, or slightly less than minimum wage.

There are some part of "American style employer flexibility" that they cannot do. e.g. they cannot give people less than 4 weeks paid vacation. They cannot let employers fire people who are gay, etc.

The social security net is indeed very strong in Denmark. If you pay a low monthly fee while being employed, you are entitled to a special unemployment benefit rate for up to two years, which almost corresponds to minimum wage salary (Which in it self is very high, compared to other countries). There are some obligations to actively seek new work and you could be sent on various training sessions, so it's not a complete free ride, but close enough.

I know that at least compared to Germany, it's a lot easier to fire people, legally speaking. I'm not sure if that makes Denmark or Germany the outlier, but probably the former.

That's what I meant, thanks.

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