Work culture

Work-life balance

The Norwegian work model prioritises employee well-being and offer generous paid leave, flexible working hours, and often the option to work from home. This is partly due to Norway's strong labour laws, which require companies to offer a minimum of five weeks paid vacation time per year, as well as paid parental leave for both parents.

The average work week in Oslo is 37,5 hours, with many employers operating with flexible working hours. With flexible working hours you can, with some limits, decide when your working day starts and ends. Many workplaces have set a core working hours with a few hours a day that you are required to be present for.

The Norwegian work culture as a whole gives value to spending time with family and friends, as well as for outdoor activities and leisure time. Many take advantage of the beautiful natural scenery by hiking, skiing, and spending time in the great outdoors.
You will find that the city offers plenty of opportunities to prioritise your well-being and enjoy a healthy balance between work and leisure.

Read more about Enjoying the outdoors in Oslo

Gender equality

Norway is known for having a high level of gender equality, and this extends to the workplace. It is considered the norm for both partners in a household to work and contribute financially, leading to financial stability and independence for both partners.

Men and women are encouraged to take equal responsibility for childcare and household duties, reflected through the ability for both to take paternity leave. Childcare, public kindergartens and schools of high quality, and the government offers financial support for families to help with the costs of raising children.

An important policy in Norway is the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination based on gender, pregnancy, and other factors in the workplace. This law requires that employers take active measures to promote gender equality, including conducting regular gender equality assessments and implementing action plans to address any imbalances.

One of the key ways that Norway promotes equality in the workplace is through its parental leave policy. Parents are entitled to a total of 49 weeks of parental leave, which can be shared between both parents. This policy has helped to promote a more equal distribution of childcare responsibilities between men and women, and has allowed women to remain in the workforce and pursue their careers if they chose to.

Norway has set a goal of achieving 40% representation of women on corporate boards, and has implemented quotas to help achieve this. This has contributed to an to increased number of women in leadership positions and has promotes greater gender diversity in Norwegian companies.
High levels of equality in the workplace has led to significant progress in promoting gender equality and reducing gender-based discrimination in society.

Trade Unions

The trade Unions are to safeguard your interests and ensure that you have the right to participate in decision making in the workplace. They hold a key role in the Norwegian model of society, and are an integral part of the country's social partnership model, which involves close collaboration between employers, trade unions, and the government.

The wages, benefits, and working conditions are achieved through collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions. Unions also work to ensure that workers' rights are respected, and that employers provide safe and healthy working environments.

In addition to bargaining for better working conditions, unions in Norway are also actively involved in policy-making and advocacy efforts. They participate in public debates on issues related to employment, social welfare, and the economy, and work to influence government policies to benefit workers and their families. Union members have access to various services and benefits, such as legal assistance, job training, and social and cultural activities.

About half the working populations are members of a trade union. There are many to choose from, but there are four main organizations that most trade unions are a part of:

• The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO)
• The Confederation of Unions for Professionals (Unio)
• The Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS)
• The Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations (Akademikerne)

If you are interested in joining a union, it is a good idea to research the different unions available in your area, and to consider which one best represents your interests and needs. You can also reach out to unions existing at your workplace to ask for more information.

Membership in a union is voluntary, and you have to contact the relevant union to register. You should start by finding which union represents your industry or profession. You can visit their national websites, but many will also have a local union branch that you can contact. It is common to fill in an online form and then follow the union’s process for membership.

Hierarchy in the workplace

The city is home to many national and multinational companies, which means there is a diverse workforce with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
The work culture in Oslo is characterized by flat structures and a focus on equality. This means that there is less emphasis on titles and status, and more emphasis on collaboration and teamwork. However, this does not mean that there is no hierarchy in the workplace. In fact, there is a clear hierarchy based on experience, skills, and responsibility. decision-making is more visible and transparent.

Meetings are often open, with leaders looking for inputs from colleagues that can contribute to and create a positive and supportive work environment. The decision-making power is often distributed across organisations and companies.