WORK IN ICELAND: what to know

2 years ago

Considering living in Iceland is definitely for a reason. You have probably already heard that it is an extremely safe country with a quality education system, modern infrastructure and stable government. And besides these positive things, let’s add that it has a wonderful nature. No matter which corner of Iceland you are in, there is a sea or mountains right next to you, so if you ever want to be alone, you will have no trouble finding a place. If you are still considering whether it is worth starting and working in this country, read on and you will immediately understand how unique Iceland is and how much it has to offer you. Working in Iceland is, first and foremost, one of the most attractive in terms of pay. According to Iceland’s 2020 July government statistics, the average monthly salary in Iceland is ISK 573,000, about € 3900 in hand at the current exchange rate. This average salary is one of the highest in Europe. Although the cost of living in the country is quite high, Iceland is still an attractive place to work in terms of purchasing power. There is no official minimum wage in this Nordic country. However, the lowest wage in Iceland, which is usually around € 2,000 before tax, is usually received by people around the age of 18 with about half a year of work experience in the same company. Work in Iceland is best paid in the municipality of Gardabair, on the outskirts of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. It is not far behind Koupavogur, another city directly bordering Reykjavik in the south. However, working in Iceland is not only attractive in terms of wages. Here are some reasons to choose a job in Iceland: 1. To single out one thing that Iceland values most is a work-life balance. Icelanders have a strong value attitude towards the family and value the time they spend with it. The average Icelandic work week lasts 40 hours, including short breaks and lunch time. In addition, working in Iceland is flexible in terms of employees. Employers there are friendly and understand when employees have to arrange a visit to the dentist, attend teacher meetings or bring a child out of school. Work in Iceland is generous in terms of summer holidays as well. And who doesn't like holidays? 2. Working in Iceland also stands out on one issue of equality that is important to the general public. Since 2009 Iceland is one of the leading countries in the field of gender equality. While there is still room for improvement, the gender pay gap for the same job is only 4.5 percent. For the sake of transparency in Iceland in 2017 equal pay certification was introduced. From this year onwards, larger workplaces will be required to provide data showing that there is no difference in the pay of employees of different genders for the same duties. Parental leave is also the same for both parents, each of whom is allowed to be at home with the newborn for three months, and they can share it with each other for an additional three months. Thus, parents are granted a total of 9 months of paid leave, paying 80% each month. employee salary. 3. Working in Iceland is also praised for its efforts to create an employee-friendly environment in Icelandic companies and organizations. Iceland’s business culture is not very hierarchical, and no matter where you work in the company, everyone is treated equally. It is common for everyone to work on behalf of someone working in Iceland, so the business environment is not as formal as elsewhere. Work meetings are usually short and business-like, openly discussing what needs to be done next. Also, many meetings take place in a casual setting, over lunch or over a cup of coffee. 4. In addition, Iceland has strong social protection. In other words, Iceland operates within the well-known Nordic tripartite system of co-operation between employers, trade unions and government. The three countries are working together to make mutually beneficial improvements, for example in the areas of worker safety, pay or the working environment. Tripartite cooperation encourages politicians and the social partners to seek compromises and agreements to solve problems while strengthening public confidence. 5. Despite its small size, Iceland stands out for its innovative solutions. This is most likely due to a strong Nordic welfare system. Tax-funded social benefits - child and health care, parental leave, high-quality education with affordable university opportunities - encourage people to pursue their passions and dreams. Along with Icelandic ingenuity, many start-ups have flourished in Iceland, discovering many unique solutions to meet business needs around the world. I think you will agree that working in Iceland does have a number of benefits. Therefore, before deciding to travel there to work, it is also important to know what specialties are in greatest demand in this country? Iceland has the greatest shortage of workers in the following sectors: • Health; • Construction; • IT; • Tourism. If you could apply your skills and experience in any of these areas, you would be highly valued by employers in this country. But if you don’t want to commit and go to work for a long time - we have an offer for you. Temporary work in Iceland can be your decision! There is a shortage of people in Iceland to work in restaurants and bars during the summer. In closing, we want to tell you about what to visit while working in Iceland. Here are some tourist attractions that will surprise even those who have seen it all: 1. In a country rich in spectacular natural objects, it is difficult to single out just one that surpasses all others. However, when it comes to Iceland's most spectacular sights, we must mention the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Some visitors take a boat trip to visit this location, while others enjoy sitting on the shore and watching the glacier-filled lake. Diamond Beach is also just a 5-minute walk from these lagoons. Icebergs are often washed ashore in this part of the coast. The shiny icebergs contrast with the black sand and create one of Iceland’s most visually spectacular landscapes. 2. Another tourist attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, one of Iceland's southwestern cities. The Blue Lagoon is a large bluish-green lake surrounded by fog and vapor bubbles rising into the air. The water in this natural body of water always reaches even 37-39 ° C heat and has many healing properties, so it is definitely worth a visit! 3. Another Icelandic phenomenon worth noting is the Northern Lights. It is a natural spectacle of light that can only be seen in winter and only in the northernmost parts of the earth. During the Northern Lights phenomenon, spectacular blue, yellow, green, and purple rays appear in the night sky. Unfortunately, the northern lights are extremely difficult to reach, and when they appear, there is no way to know where and for how long they will be observable. However, the best way to do this is to take a guided tour. Guides know the best and darkest places to look. They can also provide a wealth of scientific information that will further colour the impressions. We hope this article has provided You with a wealth of unprecedented and useful information. There are indeed many benefits to working in Iceland, but before you decide to emigrate and work abroad, take your time and find out all the worries about you, consider all the pros and cons of working abroad, and only then make a decision.