Elevate: It’s Your Move

The Swedish Practice of Fika: Strengthening Our Teams One Break at a Time

While embracing my Swedish heritage, I learned about the Swedish practice of fika, which really intrigued me.

So, what exactly is fika?

It’s taking a break from work with friends or colleagues. Traditionally, the break includes coffee and pastries and does not include screens or any conversation about work.

The purpose is to connect with others and deepen relationships, thereby improving productivity and overall well-being.

It’s commonly practiced for 15 minutes daily, often at 10 a.m. and/or 3 p.m. Pretty cool, eh?

I learned that it is such an important part of the Swedish culture that Sweden’s Right of Public Access allows you to fika almost anywhere. Some companies in Sweden protect fika to the extent of writing allowable fika breaks into employment contracts. Now that’s commitment to a practice!

I began to consider: Why is fika so highly regarded and protected in Swedish culture? What can we learn from this practice and apply in our workplaces?

A few thoughts came to mind…

Fika is enjoyed with people who matter to you.

Fika is about so much more than just walking away from our offices and setting our phones down. It’s about rich and authentic conversation that includes any topic—except work!

Fika in the workplace provides an opportunity to reset your mind for 15 minutes while engaging in good food, good coffee, and probably a few good laughs.

Think fika doesn’t make you more productive? Check out this study to learn why fika might unlock some real productivity gains for you.

Fika is a revered cultural practice that dates back to the 18th century.

There aren’t many traditions that stand the test of time. Fika has, so we believe there must be value in it.

We see it as a great concept that is worth trying. It doesn’t need to be a daily practice; start it with your team once each week and see how it goes.

In a workplace culture that runs at high speed and provides very little time for development of authentic relationships, it seems like fika is an employee engagement practice whose time has come.

Ready to implement fika at your workplace?

At Welsh & Associates, we believe meaningful connections are the foundation of thriving teams and fulfilling careers.

Why not take the lead and introduce fika to your workplace? This simple practice can help you foster stronger relationships, reset your mind, and create a positive environment that benefits everyone.

We’d love to hear how you’re incorporating fika into your day! Share your photos and experiences with us—we can’t wait to see how you’re making a difference in your team’s culture!