When the boss says no to Norwegian pay and working conditions
What if the boss is in LA and you are one of 10,000 employees? Norwegian salary development and working conditions are often disregarded. What do you do then?
"I understand very well the feeling of powerlessness when the management comes from another continent and Norwegian working life is perceived to be just a parenthesis. These are the words of NITO's business group adviser Bjørn Wannebo, who in his job meets several engineers and technologists who find themselves in such situations.
"You feel like you don't have anything to say when the top management out there comes up with their demands and admonitions. Cultural differences and different perceptions of what constitutes a good working life can be challenging," he says.
Several NITO members he has spoken to, in various companies, find that Norwegian working life can be very distant for top management. These are often companies that are doing well internationally, and that are also doing well in Norway even though the competition is tough.
Wants to save money
The large corporation is looking at how they can save money.
"Perhaps the use of permanent home office will be a solution they want to implement. Also when it comes to wage development, Norwegian conditions are not given much weight," says Wannebo.
He expresses that it can be perceived as giving one percent almost on a global basis, regardless of looking at differences between countries.
"When the employer also signals that 'if you leave, we will replace you with someone in Sri Lanka', the community in the workplace is in danger of crumbling. Such situations also mean that you are at risk of losing employees, which in turn affects the psychosocial working environment," he says.
Bjørn Wannebo is one of NITO's business group advisors. "Some questions are more difficult to answer than others," he says. "We help to find solutions as best we can.
Be prepared – and don't stand alone
Wannebo says it is demanding to give simple advice, but points to some important steps:
Important steps:
- It is certainly about being well prepared in the meeting with management about this. Know what you want to achieve. Try to create understanding, and ask specific questions to the employer.
- When corporate management overlooks Norwegian wage developments and working environment requirements, it is extra important to be organised. Wannebo reminds you that if you are a member of NITO, NITO's lawyers can be brought in if needed.
- Having lawyers behind you who can support you is one of the most important membership benefits. This shows that it pays to be a trade union. Even though you may feel powerless, membership provides an extra sense of security, says Wannebo. - It is Norwegian law that is followed in Norway.
A strong company group in the workplace is worth its weight in gold in both small and large challenges.
"Together, you are stronger. It helps to curb the "fall", make room for new solutions and more value creation for the company, he says.
Don't stand alone, join a trade union
"Such examples show the importance of not standing alone," says Wannebo.
The business group adviser encourages NITO members to use NITO actively:
- Take advantage of your benefits. Don't be alone with the problems. Make sure you have a union representative in the workplace, build as large a company group as possible. Are there more people in the company you can recruit to become a NITO member? Get them involved!
"The larger the group you are and the better prepared you are as a group, the more difficult it will be for the employer to ignore Norwegian legislation and Norwegian wage developments," he says.
Wannebo is pleased that he and the other business group advisers in NITO can be a support in such processes, especially together with the individual union representative.
He encourages you to contact the corporate group advisors if you have questions you want answered, or would like a visit from one of them.
If you are a union representative, the company group advisors can work with you to tailor a topic that you are interested in. For example, it can be about salary negotiations, salary discussions, collective agreements, member benefits and more.
How to become a union representative
As a NITO union representative, you will have the opportunity to influence the working conditions in the workplace, build valuable networks and develop your own expertise. The role allows for both commitment and ambition, while at the same time entailing some fixed tasks and responsibilities.
Business Groups – Stand Stronger Together
A company group gives you and your colleagues the opportunity to influence the development of the workplace and strengthen pay and working conditions.
