News - The latest news relevant for members

The pros and cons of part-time work is a much-debated topic these days – but can working hours be equated with productivity? Mahmoud, a master of engineering, got tired of wasting time at workplaces with a narrowminded approach to working hours.

More than half of Danes talk about their salary with their colleagues. A new survey has found that the younger generations in the labour market in particular are open about their salary.

Limitless work has slipped under the covers of our sick beds. In a new population survey from IDA, 39 per cent answered that within the past six months they have worked from home, even though they were ill.

The majority of the Danish workplaces collect data about their employees with digital tools, even if this risks damaging trust, new survey finds.

As a private sector employee or self-employed person, you can now share your salary data and help make IDA's Salary Statistics and Salary Calculator even better.

Stress and lack of recognition at work take a toll on your sleep. If you sleep just an hour too little, it affects your mood and your concentration, and in this way stress and sleep problems can reinforce each other.

Sustainability in all its forms will be the central focus when IDA opens the doors to the technology event Technomania at hi Tech & Industry Scandinavia in Herning in October.

Techtopia host, Henrik Føhns, is himself a big consumer of podcasts, whether it's about technology, music, social affairs or politics. Here are the 6 podcasts he is looking forward to listening to during the summer holidays.

The new AI models can be a serious security risk for companies. IDA calls for a set of clear recommendations from the Danish authorities.

Peter Jensen is a manager in an international company and a recognised expert in his field, but a Friday bar at work leaves him drained. Like many other neurodivergent people, he has to work extra hard to fit into the labour market.

In August last year, Denmark's new rules on earmarked parental leave for fathers and co-mothers came into force. This has led to a significant increase in fathers' use of parental leave, according to new figures from IDA.

The Danish government should increase the intake of cyber conscripts to strengthen civilian and military cyber security in Denmark.

There are plenty of tools available to measure and monitor employees on the job and check their performance. Check out some of the systems here.

The recent TikTok debate shows that the Danish government must set clear and uniform rules for the use of work phones in the public sector.

Companies are failing to inform employees when they use digital tools to monitor employee activity. There is a need to tighten the rules, and we can look to Canada for inspiration.

The average starting salary of female graduates in STEM fields is lower than the salaries of their male counterparts.

IDA's opinion is quite clear: Danish politicians should leave discussions on pay and working time to the social partners. That is why IDA is also completely opposed to the current plans to abolish the public holiday Great Prayer Day, Store Bededag.

Are some people at particularly high risk of stress? And does the fact that we can work all hours of the day increase the risk of stress? Three experts explain what the latest research shows about the causes of stress.

Graduates with an international background contribute significantly to the Danish economy. Although some receive SU and some go home after completing their education, each graduate contributes on average more than DKK 2 million over a 13-year period

Neha Imtiaz Ullah wins this year's Agnes & Betzy Award for her work in making women visible in STEM subjects and for teaching young girls how to program

The historically high inflation punctures the development of real wages for IDA's members. Despite an average nominal wage increase of 5.1 per cent. for IDA's privately employed members, inflation in the same period has been 10 per cent.

Inflation and a slowing economy are prompting more people to consider postponing a job change. However, the job market is still hot for IDA members, reckons chief economist and career counsellor.

More than one in three members have been working from home in the past three months despite actually being ill.

Few IDA members can expect a salary increase that offsets the rising prices. But a job change may lead to a significantly higher salary.

More companies are adopting technologies to measure employee effectiveness, networking, website use and social media. Find out what your rights are here.

The current labour shortages means that every fourth IDA member has had to handle more than one position at a time. The stress level increases especially when the management does not handle the challenges that arise.

If you run faster to help employees in times of labour shortages you risk becoming ill with stress. Read more in IDA's guide.

With pay transparency among employees, you are collectively stronger in salary negotiations with management. IDA advises on how to create pay transparency in your workplace.

Your brain cannot recover from a stressful year in a few weeks. But if you use your holidays to rethink your everyday life, you might prevent stress in the long term.

Just over half of Danes talk about pay with their colleagues, and the youngest generations in the labour market are the most likely to do so.

The green transformation and planned digitisation of Denmark is threatened by lower enrolment in IT and engineering courses.

62 percent of working Danes check work-related texts and emails during their summer holidays. For about one in four, it is a requirement or expectation from their employer that they are available. A problematic trend, in IDA's opinion.

Have a good holiday - without stress. You need to start planning now so that you have everything under control before and after your holiday. Here are five tips for a stress-free holiday.

One in five IDA members feels stressed. Here, two members talk about their experience of calling in sick due to stress and their road back to work.

High work demands and a lack of management put pressure on IDA members, who are more stressed than the national average. IDA's newly elected chairman calls it a warning sign to employers.

IDA's more than 140,000 members got a new chairman on Saturday 7 May, when the society's newly elected Board of Representatives unanimously elected Laura Klitgaard as chairman for the next three years.

The 2022 IDA Election is over and the new Board of Representatives has been found. Read more here.

In the event of a sudden stop to Russian gas, Denmark will be able to urgently limit its need for natural gas by approximately 30 percent and be able to achieve a lasting reduction in gas demands of 79 percent over the next eight years.

Danish drivers are jumping on the electric bandwagon when it comes to choosing a new car. But concerns about not being able to charge the car keep some buyers from going electric when choosing a car, according to new research from IDA.

IDA calls on Danish parties to focus on retaining international graduates to cope with current labour shortages

Jakob rediscovered his enthusiasm for work after a period of reflection, Anne-Dorthe and Amire went back to school, and Marianne became self-employed. Four STEM professionals talk about the big decision to change careers.

You may tell yourself that you need to quit your job to achieve your career dreams and develop as much as possible, but a new job does not necessarily always lead to happiness.

In Denmark, one in three has tried to get their personal data erased. Such is the conclusion of a new survey made by IDA. 

Professor at DTU Management, PhD in Energy Systems Analysis, and researcher in modelling of green energy systems, Marie Münster, receives IDAs Agnes and Betzy Prize in 2021.

Fighting sexual harassment at work, curbing the mass surveillance of citizens in Denmark, and making a plan for the green transition: IDA supports the interests of our members in many areas. Here are the causes we have paid particular attention to in 2021.

Denmark is experiencing a shortage of highly qualified professionals with an understanding of technology, IT, and science. In the past year, almost two out of three privately employed members have been approached by another company or a headhunter with an invitation to change jobs.

Salaries increased by an average of 4.3% in 2021 for members of IDA employed in the private sector and this is the highest increase since the years leading up to the financial crisis.

It is almost time for elections at IDA. In March 2022, IDA members will cast their votes for the Board of Representatives, which is IDA’s highest democratic governing body.

Each year the Agnes and Betzy Award of DKK 25,000 is presented to a commendable IDA member who made a positive contribution to diversity in STEM. Read more about the award and this year’s nominees right here.

Join IDA at the 2021 Digital Tech Summit in Copenhagen, one of the leading events on tech, digitisation, and IT in the Nordic Countries.

Do you know how to plan your holiday so that you can take both Christmas and winter holidays off? IDA's legal advisor gives you an overview.

Read project manager Pernille Vindeløv Larsen's story of suffering from stress and using her experience to combat the stigma often associated with it.

IDA’s members are in great demand, and that puts you in a good bargaining position, whether you want to change jobs or have better terms in your current job. For some, however, the many options can feel like a pressure to make the right choice.

The IT company Abtion can give its employees every Friday off because they stay focused in their work the rest of the week. For senior developer Klaus Even Enevoldsen, the opportunity to geek out is as much a benefit as the extra day off.

Despite a marked increase in the number of cases, the funding for the Danish Data Protection Agency is largely at a standstill

Danes are careless when it comes to the security of their home routers, a new survey shows.

The Danish government has presented a reform proposal which includes plans to lower the graduate rate (dimittendsatsen) in the unemployment benefit system to DKK 9,500 and shorten the unemployment benefit period for new graduates. The proposal is not the best solution, IDA believes.

A global shortage of chips, slow robots, and a popular breakthrough for machine learning. IDA‘s expert in future technology, Rolf Ask Clausen, points to 6 major digital trends in the field of technology right now.

Whether you spent the summer building a new terrace for your summer house or played 300 rounds of Chinese checkers with the kids, your holiday flow can make a positive difference when you go back to work.

In the recently published “Industry Index Trade Unions 2021” from Loyalty Group, IDA is named the trade union in Denmark that has the most satisfied and loyal members.

Check out podcast host Henrik Føhn's 3 podcast recommendations for summer listening.

Interested in data ethics or hoping to do better at your next salary negotiation? Improve your working life and dive into interesting research and knowledge with IDA’s webinars.

This year the summer holidays will be different for many of us, but as always, it is important to use them to recharge your batteries in the best possible way.

It is wonderful to have a job that does more than pay the bills. But remember to consider whether your working life will necessarily improve just because you employer has a CSR policy or is involved with sustainability. Career counsellor Morten Esmann describes the things you should consider if you dream of a more sustainable position

It is important that both members and employees feel safe in IDA – also when they report or complain about problematic conditions. A new Sanctions Committee will ensure the transparent handling of complaints, and can impose temporary sanctions on members.

More than a million Danish employees are returning to the office. Coming back will be at least as difficult as it was to be sent home. However, there are a lot of things you can do to take better care of yourself and others at work.

On 21 May, many Danish workplaces began to gradually allow employees to return. Now is the time to decide what to make of the experiences we gained while working from home, a researcher in working culture writes.

It costs less money, is more comfortable and the travel time is the same as if you were driving around in a petrol or diesel car. A new study from IDA and FDEL (United Danish electric vehicle drivers) debunks the myth that it is difficult and expensive to drive an electric vehicle

The vote on the OK21 collective agreement settlements has ended. 94 pct. of the votes cast among IDA's members have landed on a yes to the agreements.

This year's CPH:DOX documentary film festival features an interesting science film programme. Members and future members of IDA get free admission to five screenings.

If we are to eliminate unequal pay, openness about salary is one of our best tools. But only 21 per cent of IDA-members discuss their salary with their colleagues.

For many, talking about their salary is a taboo. But does it have to be? Four engineers, IT professionals or natural science graduates share their pay slip and talk about something they only rarely talk to their colleagues about.

Every sixth researcher in the technical and scientific field does not believe that there is a general freedom to comment on research, and several researchers have been exposed to political pressure

Corona fatigue has taken hold among IDA-members, and while some are struggling with loneliness, others have discovered new dreams. We asked 5 Danes from IDA what the past months have done to their working life.

The younger you are, the more likely are you to thrive less, struggle with your work-life balance and feel less efficient when working from home during the corona pandemic. That is the conclusion of a new analysis from IDA.

When factors such as seniority, industry, educational background and working hours are disregarded, there is an average wage difference of 3.7 per cent. between privately employed female and male members of IDA.

They arrange more than 2,000 events each year, represent their co-workers in difficult conversations with the management, and go for walks with their stressed colleagues. Meet some of IDA's dedicated volunteers.

The corona crisis is changing our flying habits. Almost every third Dane intends to fly less when the pandemic is a thing of the past, a new population survey shows

The last negotiations in the collective bargaining process for the academics in the Danish municipalities have fallen into place. 

All private-sector employees who are members of IDA are invited to two exciting online sessions with IDA via MS Teams. 

The collective bargaining negotiations for the academics in the Danish regions are now completely settled. Learn more here.

IDA misses a concrete plan for introducing the new technologies in the municipalities. It can end up being a stumbling block if the municipalities do not have the right guidelines

One in five female IDA-members have experienced sexual harassment at their workplace in the past year – most often in the form of unwanted touching or inappropriate comments.

A senior bonus and general salary increases of 4.42 per cent are among the results of the negotiations of the collective agreements for state employees.

In December we saw an unexpectedly high number of new job postings for IDA’s members, and with that 2020 ended better than expected. One area in particular stands out, IDA’s chief economist says.

Arrange a weekly meeting with your colleagues to discuss other things than work. Or try the 20:8:2 method. These are our tips for getting through a long corona winter.

SU for international students is a good investment. IDA urges Danish politicians to attract rather than exclude international talent.

Salaries increased by an average of 3.0 pct. in the past year for members working in the private sector, while members working in the public sector collectively received a salary increase of 4.0 pct. In the same period, the inflation level has been at 0.6 pct.

We have solid evidence that knowledge workers do not perform their best within the current framework. We need to show our employees that we trust them enough to let them structure their working lives more flexibly.

The ability to structure one’s own work and working hours, as well as an increased opportunity of working from home: These are high on our members’ wish list for their future working lives.

For IDA-members, sexism often has to do with a lack of professional recognition at the workplace, says equality researcher Sara Louise Muhr. To change the culture, we need to recognise that we all have prejudices, and that even in Denmark, we are perhaps not as equal as we like to think.

There are no middle managers, and employees are free to choose which tasks to solve. In the consulting firm Pingala, employees take responsibility for themselves and each other.

The corona crisis has shown that we can create a more flexible working life to the benefit of employees, businesses, and society.

Working from home leads to higher levels of productivity, fewer sick days, and less transport time, but it should not be enforced upon all employees.

This year, IDA Private's annual conference takes place as three corona-safe webinars about the generation gap, future technologies and being very busy doing nothing, respectively. The goal is to prepare you for navigating an increasingly complex working life.

Everyone should feel welcome at their workplace. That is why the current debate on sexual harassment is a much-needed opportunity to talk about the extent and nature of the problem, says the Chairman of IDA’s Council of Employees as he prepares to discuss the issue at Christiansborg.

IDA recommends shifting car taxes from purchase to driving and that the Danish government moves forward with the proposal of the Commission for a Transition to Green Passenger Cars, leading to 1 million zero emission cars by 2030.

The electric car is not yet an attractive choice when we buy a new vehicle, according to a study from the Danish Society of Engineers, IDA. Key barriers such as price, battery capacity and lack of recharging points stand in the way.

Every year, Agnes and Betzy awards DKK 25,000 to an IDA member. The award dates from 1997, in honour and on the 100th anniversary of the first two female engineers, Agnes Nielsen and Betzy Meyer.

Mozhgan Gerayeli got rejected from jobs because of her name. Today, she helps high educated foreigners and Danes finding a job in their fields.

There is an inexplicable wage gap of 4.4% between male and female IDA members. Rikke Stæhr Jensen practices trying to explain her worth, but she feels that salary negotiations come more naturally to men.

Nana Bule, CEO of Microsoft, has never had to break through a glass ceiling. She therefore must remind herself that women in leadership are still facing barriers.

Juliana Glahn is one of the only women on the mechanical engineering programme. The Danish education system is highly gender-segregated, and this affects equality throughout the labour market.

Mikkel Schildknecht Hoé, mechanical engineer, reacted promptly when his girlfriend, who is a nurse, needed goggles. Only three weeks later, the production was running, something that normally takes six months.

IDA's legal advisors give good recommendations on what to keep in mind if your employer wishes to cut your working hours and salary.

With the prospect of a gradual reopening of the country, IDA is now contributing to the debate on initiatives that can help mitigate the impact on business and employment due to the corona crisis. This contribution consists of 12 proposals, all with a green agenda.

Many people are currently experiencing a loss of control that gives them a sense of insecurity. However, the crisis also provides us with time to reflect on our values and choices.

The internet is full of guides on how to work from home. We’ve collected the best and funniest for you right here.

In the last 12 months, more than 6 out of 10 IDA members employed in the private sector have been approached by a recruiter or other company.

In the past year, almost one in five private employees have changed jobs. And for more than 70 per cent, switching jobs led to a salary raise. This is what a new study from IDA reveals.

Power from wind turbines and solar cells can be used to produce sustainable fuels, and Denmark has now the opportunity to become a global leader.

We will achieve this vision of a climate-neutral society if we develop our renewable energy production while stopping the use of fossil energy sources. In this process, key actors claim that Power-to-X is part of the solution.

There is a large gap between the average first salary of newly graduated female and male BSc and MSc engineers. This is the result of IDA's salary statistics.

The Siri-Committee was set up in the summer of 2016 by Ida Auken, MP and member of the center-left Social Liberal party (Radikale Venstre) and Thomas Damkjær Petersen, President of The Danish Society of Engineers (IDA).

Social media is evolving rapidly as the common space for a lot of communication and many people are now feeling compelled to do the same thing if they want to catch up.

Expats have a hard time settling in Denmark, and this survey reveals Denmark ranked as the 48th best country to be an expat in.

Sustainable transport is necessary, and a CO2 neutral Denmark in 2040 is the goal. For that reason, IDA is part of the climate alliance 'Broen til fremtiden' (The bridge to the future).

IDA's analysis department has compared the statistics from IDA and DI (Danish Industry). In conclusion, the salary levels for engineers are virtually identical in the statistics from DI and IDA.

Cyberattacks against businesses and public authorities are becoming ever more frequent and advanced. Last September, a hearing aid producer, Demant, was hit by an attack estimated to cost the company over half a billion DKK.

If you think that your salary is a confidential agreement between you and your employer, then think again, that is a myth. Nevertheless, new figures from IDA show that less than one-third of Danes discuss salary with their colleagues.

Denmark participates for the first time in European Cyber Security Month (ECSM), which aims to raise awareness of cyber security threats and improve digital security for citizens, businesses and authorities in Denmark.

The government will allocate DKK 1 billion for environmental research programs in its budget proposal. Thats a good start after several years of budget cuts in the field.

Techfestival is a yearly festival created to find human answers to the questions that tech progress gives rise to. Aspiring to be the leading voice of technology, IDA has been a partner for the last two years, in order to support and participate in the important conversations about technology, society and ethics.

The worst of a talent shortage on engineers, scientists and IT specialists could be prevented if employers were better to retain retirees. Recent figures from IDA indicate that one in ten unwillingly retired and want to work.

More than one in four students face difficulties getting a roof over their head

A general decline in admission to engineering school will not contribute to Denmark’s goal of solving engineering shortcomings or securing a green transition

Nearly half of the Danes still change job through classic recruitment channels.

Is it harder for a woman to gain respect from employees in an IT company? And are too many women leaving their careers mainly for family reasons? Four women, who are either leaders or aim to get there, share their experiences.

Voters have now decided, and IDA congratulates all members of Parliament for their election or re-election. The new Danish parliament will, regardless of color and balance of power, decide on the six political objectives that IDA highlighted during the election campaign.

In 2018, average pay rises for IDA’s members in the private sector were 3.9%. Looking more closely at the figures, members within the building and construction sector saw the largest pay increases, at 4.8% on average.

In 2018, average pay rises for IDA’s members in the private sector were 3.9%. Looking more closely at the figures, members within the building and construction sector saw the largest pay increases, at 4.8% on average.

We overestimate our own intelligence and role in the universe, says philosopher and debater Nikola Danaylov. He claims that viruses and bacteria on certain parameters are smarter than humans.

One of the things that makes IDA a truly unique organization are the regional and professional networks that bend every year to make IDA better for all members. IDA's network hosts over 2700 events each year, which you can sign up for.

We feel confident with the encryption we use today and we know that it works. But what will happen to our encryption algorithms when someone succeeds in building a powerful quantum computer? New white paper highlights "state of the art on solving the challenges quantum computers provide for encryption".

Do you sometimes ask yourself why a CV is so important? You may think your boss can work out what you can do and how you add value to the company based on your work history. In practice, this is not the case. Your CV is one of the most important elements of your career, whether you are seeking a job or not.

As a general rule, a photo on your CV will be seen as positive – if the quality is good and it suits the workplace you’re applying to. But if you have personal reasons for omitting a photo, you won't necessarily end up at the back of the queue. Read these photo tips from IDA’s advisers.

A salary negotiation is all about preparation. You need to know your strengths and good results inside out, and you must have the ability, will and desire to talk about them. IDA’s career adviser Kenneth Carstensen suggests thinking of the meeting as a party, where you are the centre of attention.

Project will provide guidance to international engineering institutions to encourage them to write energy strategies for their own nations in order to tackle climate change

You might only have a vague idea of what a personal development review is all about, and you may feel slightly apprehensive about it. IDA has a number of tips to help you get the most out of this meeting with your manager.

IDA has specific guidelines for when new members need to join IDA in order to qualify for financial support in the event of industrial action. IDA does not expect industrial action. However, since we have entered into difficult negotiations, it is very important to inform new members of the date on which they must enrol with IDA in order to qualify for financial support.

Whether you are in the process of negotiating salary for a new job, or you are about to negotiate salary in your current job, it is a good idea to use IDA’s salary statistics, the IDA Salary Calculator and company statistics as a guide.

As a new graduate, negotiating salary can be scary. But it is vital to your entire career that you set the bar at the right height from the beginning. Here are some good tips from IDA’s legal experts.

When you leave the room after your annual salary negotiation, the next one is already in progress. Read more about how to prepare yourself all year round for this important meeting and set yourself up for a pay rise. 

When you are invited to a job interview, the company is interested in you in particular as a possible candidate for the job. That is why it is important that you are well prepared so that you can convince the company’s employees that you should be their new colleague.

More than six in ten project managers have been headhunted or attempts were made to headhunt them. This is what a new survey of the members of IDA’s project manager panel shows.

Your CV must be targeted and have impact. Companies only use a few minutes to sort job applications. That is why it is important to have a thoroughly reviewed CV. The CV assistant helps with this by providing advice from our experienced career counsellors.

The Association of Chartered Engineers in Iceland (Verkfræðingafélag Íslands, VFÍ) becomes the member of the Association of Nordic Engineers on 1 January 2018. The request of the membership was approved at the ANE Board, 29 November

The number of employees who are offered continuing training, flexible working hours and flexible locations is increasing. This is a tendency that we will see more of in the future, predicts IDA, on the basis of the figures for the members who work with IT, as well as engineers and natural science graduates.

Digital labour platforms add flexibility to the labour market, but also present potential challenges. And if the traditional players make good models for platform economy, new opportunistic upstarts will undoubtedly come into play.

An episode for expats living and working in Denmark about Danish culture, business culture and global mindsets.

It is wrong to believe that introverted people cannot become skilled and strategic networkers, says networking expert Susie Lynge from the training and consultancy firm the Networking Academy

LinkedIn is an important tool in your job search, when building a network or creating awareness with regards to potential clients or business partners. Learn 10 ways to improve your LinkedIn profile.

Professor Lene Tanggaard from Aalborg University experience how colleagues from abroad are willing to move in order to get an exciting and challenging job. Danes can learn a lot from this attitude towards mobility.