Arbejdsuge

Arbejdsuge is the Danish term for the standard workweek—the seven-day period used for planning and calculating work time. The concept focuses on the days when work is performed rather than the calendar dates. In Denmark, a typical full-time arbejd uge is around 37 hours, usually distributed over weekdays. The exact hours and day distribution vary by sector, collective agreements, and individual contracts; some agreements reference 35 hours, others around 37 hours, with flexibility for different work arrangements.

The arbejd uge is used in human resources, payroll, and scheduling to determine regular pay, overtime, holiday allowances, and vacation entitlements. While many jobs follow a Monday-to-Friday pattern, service and shift-based sectors—such as health care, retail, and manufacturing—may incorporate weekend days within the arbejd uge.

Holidays and vacation affect the arbejd uge: public holidays can reduce the number of working days within a given week, and pay calculations may be adjusted according to the specific agreements in place. The concept also serves as a basis for comparing planned work time with actual hours worked and for calculating overtime rates.

Etymology: arbejd- comes from arbejde, meaning “to work,” and uge means “week.” The term is common in Danish labor law, collective agreements, and personnel planning, where it helps distinguish the regular work period from individual holiday or special leave.