Work Environment — Nordic Labour Journal

Weekend in mid-week

(Oct 01, 2002) Three days’ work and three days off is a model that is increasingly being tried out in Sweden, especially in the health service and care of the elderly.

In Hillerød they sleep at work

(Oct 01, 2002) Employees work better after an afternoon nap, which is a good thing both for them and for their employer.

Norwegian partnership for an inclusive workplace

(Nov 01, 2001) An "intention agreement for an inclusive workplace" was reached between the government and the Norwegian social partners at the beginning of October. Over the next four years, the parties will work actively towards reducing absenteeism by 20 %, getting more disabled people into work and encouraging people to stay working for longer. The agreement will be reviewed after two years.

Well-being at work

(Nov 01, 2001) Nordic efforts to improve working environments are now beginning to show results. Tarja Filatov, Finland's Minister of Labour, has brought the attention of the Nordic Council to the economic significance that a good working environment can have for businesses and the national economy.

Book in review: A hundred years of occupational safety and health

(Nov 01, 2001) A recently published study from the National Institute for Working Life in Sweden offers a fascinating introduction to the development of the work environment and safety at work in Sweden during the 20th century

Hungry Eyes for Scandinavian Baby Buggies

(Jun 01, 2001) As the first glimpses of spring appear in Copenhagen, rows of baby buggies stand neatly in line in front of fashionable bars. The children doze away at the comforting sounds of laughter from their parents who enjoy themselves inside.

Book in review: Hot conflicts in the Workplace

(Jun 01, 2001) After the Cold War ended, a series of conflicts and civil wars broke out. Although none of them threatened the world order, they were bloody and claimed many victims. Norwegian working life researchers Bjørg Aase Sørensen and Asbjørn Grimsmo see a similar trend developing on today’s labour market in which hierarchical structures have been replaced by teamwork and substantially streamlined organisations.

The Battle against Monotonous work

(Jan 01, 2001) Through the implementation of a series of initiatives, the Danish Minister of Labour, Ove Hygum, is aiming to improve conditions for the 200.000 Danish wage-earners who carry out the same monotonous work every day. However, according to the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI), it is being done in an amateurish way.