Work Environment — Nordic Labour Journal

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.

Nordic vision zero for workplace accidents inspires world congress

(Oct 13, 2021) The Nordics have considerable influence in the international debate on work environments. That was also evident during the 22nd world congress on work environments and security, held from 20 - 23 September in Toronto, Canada.

Many Norwegian nurses are planning their escape

(Sep 08, 2021) Heavy workloads, poor working conditions, low pay and a feeling of not being appreciated means seven in ten nurses in Norway have considered leaving over the past 12 months.

Gathering around the kitchen table

(Sep 08, 2021) The huge increase in remote work during the pandemic became a challenge for families where several people needed a workplace or place to study at home. Surprisingly, the length of people’s ordinary commute and the size of their homes are not factors that impact much on their desire to work from home. Something else means much more.

The many languages of working life

(May 28, 2021) In this edition, we look at work from several different points of view. But in reality, it all comes down to the same thing. Work gives us an identity and experiences we would not have otherwise. That is why we are vulnerable when our professional roles are under attack. Or if we never get the chance to work.

Nordic youths want to learn more about work environments

(May 28, 2021) A Nordic project could help young people learn more about work environments, starting in elementary school. The Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise is preparing a module for 13 to 18-year-olds to improve their work environment knowledge, and the hope is to spread this across the Nordics.

Workplace battlegrounds: Are Norwegian employees being criminalised?

(May 28, 2021) How should an employer handle workplace conflicts? In Norway, it is becoming increasingly common to hire external consultants to perform a workplace investigation. The consultants often come from a legal or psychological background. Employees risk being exposed to situations resembling police interrogations – yet with no legal protection, warn researchers Bitten Nordrik and Tereza Østbø Kuldova.

Sexual harassment: new knowledge needed

(Apr 29, 2021) Sexual harassment in the care sector has had less attention than harassment in other sectors. Patients behaving inappropriately is often seen as part of the job. “High tolerance levels represent a problem,” says Bryndis Elfa Valdemarsdottir, who has been heading the Icelandic part of a Nordic project looking at this problem.

Should employees be compensated for working from home?

(Jan 22, 2021) The Norwegian government is recommending that everyone who is able to, should work from home. The working environment act must be updated, argue labour market organisations.

Covid threat to Nordic “julebord” tradition and restaurant survival

(Dec 10, 2020) Julebord is a Christmas office party on steroids and a major tradition in Norway and Denmark. This season is already a crisis for restaurants and food providers say enterprise confederations. But at least there will probably be fewer #metoo situations.