Staff at a major Swedish pharmacy chain are being paid to take time off with friends to combat loneliness—they can even text loved ones during the $100 ‘friendship hour’

Loneliness is wearing down so many workers that it’s been deemed an “epidemic” by U.S. healthcare professionals. Across the pond in Europe, employees are grappling with the same issue; that’s why one Swedish employer is piloting a paid “friendship hour” to combat isolation.

Apotek Hjärtat, one of Sweden’s largest pharmaceutical chains, is trialing a “friendcare” program (“vänvård” in Swedish), where staff are allotted one hour per month, or 15 minutes every week during working hours, to connect with old or new friends.

The year-long scheme was first launched last April, according to reporting from BBC. Volunteers could register for the initiative if they were lonely, or simply wanted to get closer to people struggling with isolation—just 11 out of 4,000 employees opted in 

The business has not only set aside work hours to test the initiative, it’s also been footing the bill for connection. 

All participants are paid 1,000 kronor (around $100) to cover activities with their companions. But the “friendship hour” doesn’t have to be s...