Work Environment — Nordic Labour Journal

25 per cent of Norwegian workers say they have lost influence

(Feb 27, 2023) One in four workers in Norway feel they have lost influence in the workplace, according to the 2022 Medbestemmelsesbarometeret (Joint decision-making barometer). This is felt most acutely among public sector workers.

Healthcare staff in Sweden look forward to stricter daily rest rules

(Jan 19, 2023) A minimum of 11 hours of consecutive rest between shifts. That is the result of negotiations between Swedish trade unions and employers. Rules had to be changed after the European Commission questioned certain parts of the Swedish collective agreement on working hours.

Four new Nordic labour ministers – and their challenges

(Jan 19, 2023) In 2022, both Norway, Sweden and Denmark got new labour ministers. Here is your chance to get to know them better.

The tough road to male occupations in Denmark

(Oct 28, 2022) Amalie Schwartz is a newly qualified electrician and the only woman in a workplace with 80 people. She is busy changing that disparity every day at work and as an ambassador for the Boss Ladies project.

"Yellow" trade union struggles to gain foothold in Norway

(Oct 28, 2022) Krifa claims to be a good alternative to traditional trade unions in Norway, especially as union membership is up among employers but down among employees. Traditional unions feel Krifa is too close to employers and disagree with their anti-strike policy.

AI – threat or opportunity?

(Sep 22, 2022) In a new report on artificial intelligence for worker management, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work warns against what could happen if the technology is misapplied in workplaces. At the same time, AI is considered crucial for digital green change both in the Nordics and the Baltics.

Faroe Islands: Four weeks enough for father and child?

(Aug 18, 2022) Faroese fathers use four out of the 52 weeks of the available parental leave while mothers use 48. The reason is economic, explains a father and the head of the Gender Equality Commission.

New whistleblower act challenges Sweden’s unique freedom of expression

(Aug 18, 2022) Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Swedish constitution, and no other country has more far-reaching protection for employees who want to go public with irregularities in the workplace. As a result, expectations of a new whistleblower act were high. Criticism came fast.

Are left-handers discriminated against?

(Aug 11, 2022) 13 August is Left Handers Day. The day celebrates the uniqueness and differences of left-handed people and was launched 46 years ago. Yet it has still not had a major impact, and it remains a bit of a mystery why left-handed people have never organised better.

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson: Planned to be a sheep farmer, now Iceland's labour minister

(Dec 07, 2021) A new government in Iceland was announced on 28 November, over two months after the parliamentary elections. The new labour minister is Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson from the Left-Green Movement.