Working in Oslo: job culture and everyday life at work

Work-life balance

The Norwegian work model prioritises employee well-being.

Generous vacation policies (five weeks of paid vacation per year) and paid parental leave (49 weeks per year, which can be split between two parents) reflect a strong commitment to work-life balance in Norway.

A standard workweek is 37.5 hours, and many companies offer flexible hours and hybrid work options. Many workplaces have set a core working hours with a few hours a day that you are required to be present for.

These elements of Norway's working culture are partly due to Norway's strong labour laws, as well as a culture that values spending time with family and friends, and leisure time in nature.

Many people working in Oslo take advantage of the easy access to beautiful natural scenery by hiking, skiing, swimming, and spending plenty of time outdoors throughout the year.

• Read more from Welcome to Oslo: Enjoying the outdoors

Gender equality in the Norwegian working culture

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.

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.

Gender discrimination

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.

Parental leave and work

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.

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.