On this page, you as an employee will find information about what participation and co-determination are and how they work at NTNU. You will also receive tips and advice on how to stay informed and actively contribute to developing both yourself and the organization.

Norsk versjon: Medvirkning og medbestemmelse

Topic page: New at NTNU

What is participation?

Participation means that you have the opportunity to voice your opinion about something, and that your opinion is taken into account. As an employee at NTNU it will, for example, mean that you can say your opinion about cases that concerns NTNU and your own work environment:

“Participation means that the employees’ views and input must be heard and assessed carefully, before the employer makes a final decision. Employees have both a right and a duty to participate. Participation is therefore a key tool for fulfilling the Working Environment Act’s requirements for a fully justifiable working environment.” Source: Arbeidstilsynet.no

Participation will, among other things, ensure your opportunities for professional and personal development, self-determination, and influence.
At NTNU, participation is handled directly by the managers and employees of the departments where the employees themselves participate in formulating the decisions that affect the work situation.

Read more about participation:

• NTNUs tilpasningsavtale, kap. 4 Medbestemmelse og medvirkning (in Norwegian)
• Medvirkning (in Norwegian) - Arbeidstilsynet.no

What is co-determination?

Co-determination is participation in decisions that concern your work situation. This is taken care of through union representatives and other elected representatives of the employees.

Co-determination shall contribute to all employees having the same opportunities, and that benefits, and disadvantages are distributed in a fair and legitimate manner.

At NTNU, co-determination is ensured through union representatives in structured meeting arenas between the employer and the trade unions. See the next section on “Our formal bodies for co-determination”.

Our formal bodies for co-determination

At NTNU, we have several participation and co-determination bodies. Each body has its own wiki pages so you can find more information about them:

• Work Environment Committee (AMU) – plans and organizes HSE work at NTNU
• Central cooperation committee (SESAM) (in Norwegian)– a central meeting arena between trade unions and NTNU’s management.
• Local co-operation committee (LOSAM) (in Norwegian)– a local meeting arena at NTNU’s units between employer, safety representative, local trade union representatives.
• Committee for Gender Equality and Diversity – shall deliver a policy and action plan for gender equality and diversity that is rooted, binding, and guiding.
• The Learning Environment Committee (LMU) (in Norwegian) – shall have a holistic and overall view of NTNU’s work with the learning environment.
• The Board – The board is NTNU’s highest body and makes decisions on matters of principle and superior nature.

Stay informed

NTNUs communication policy (in Norwegian) aims to have well-informed employees and students who thrive and who actively contribute to the development of the organization. We will ensure sharing of internal knowledge and participation,through building a culture characterized by openness, dialogue and participation.

• Attend meetings held in your department, professional group, department: Staff meetings, forums, information meetings and other internal meetings.
• Keep yourself informed through Innsida. Find your favorite channels and follow them.
• Use Innsida instructions and help functions or ask your nearest online contact if you are in doubt about how to use Innsida.
• Find out who your union representative is and who represents you in various councils and committees (in Norwegian).
• Familiarize yourself with the organization and find out about the professional activity at NTNU. Read the University newspaper. Follow NTNU’s external channels, such as subject blogs, and other channels for social media at NTNU. You can also help spread the word – share them in your network!
• Participate in informal arenas – feel free to take the initiative for pleasant gatherings with your colleagues.
• Join NTNU events where you can meet colleagues and get professional input.

This is how you can contribute

Here are some tips on how you as an employee can keep you and others informed of what is happening, influence your workplace and contribute in building a good culture within your entity and at the faculty.

• Attend general meetings, workshops and other arenas where you can provide input in decision-making processes.
• Post messages on Innsida to relevant groups regarding issues you are responsible for. Encourage input and comments on the post when appropriate.
• Remember that the responsibility for information and communication follows the case responsibility for both managers and employees.
• Get involved with in the comment sections on Innsida.
• Make sure that important information is available in Norwegian and English.
• A good guideline is to inform internally before informing externally.
• Keep your employee profile up to date. This ensures that, your colleagues, in addition to external partners and others, can find information about what you are working on.
• Show off your affiliation! Use NTNU’s graphic templates in presentations, letters, notes, roll-up and other information material, both internally and externally.

Other links

• Arbeidstakers medvirkningsplikt (in Norwegian) - Arbeidsmiljøloven § 2-3
• Tilpasningsavtalen (in Norwegian)
• Labour unions
• Verneombud – Om verneombudets oppgaver
• Find your safety representative
• Medvirkning (in Norwegian) - Arbeidstilsynet.no