International Staff Mobility > Working Culture

Working at the University of Copenhagen

The diversity at a large work place like the University of Copenhagen is enormous. Yet there are some characteristics which are common no matter where you work at the university. The following pieces of advice are based on some of the comments which are generally received from foreign employees. One might say that these are some of the unwritten rules of the university as a work place.

• You are expected to perform your tasks with a great deal of independence.
• Be on time, and make sure you keep also your informal agreements. If it is not possible for you to attend a meeting that you have accepted to participate in earlier, you are expected to let the relevant party know as soon as possible so that he/she can take this into account.
• Being cooperative and sharing your knowledge with your colleagues are highly valued qualities.
• During meetings, we expect you to participate actively and contribute by expressing your opinion.The university is in many ways an informal work place where everybody is expected to help out even with the little tasks, e.g. if you take the last cup of coffee, we expect you to make a new pot.
• The hierarchy and the decision making process is relatively flat and easy to influence as an employee at the university. Former employees have stressed that the informality of Danish work culture makes them feel as if they are a valued part of the University and not just "an extra pair of hands". However, this should not be mistaken for weak management, and your boss is still your boss - not your friend.
• And finally - this goes without saying - no discrimination based on gender, religion, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation etc. is accepted.