General manager Jonas Rejdemo takes a tour of the workshop with his bubble jacket and rucksack on. Most of the employees in the small factory at Geilo have already arrived at work. – Hello Monica, hello Robin. Out early today? – Mother Jensa, everything okay? The energetic Swede doesn’t even take off his outerwear in the morning before looking each person in the eye. Managing director Jonas Rejdemo believes that the most natural things are in short supply in society. Like greeting each other. – When I have made eye contact with everyone, seen that everyone is okay, then it is a start. This is a minimum, minimum, minimum, he says with emphasis on each word. Since 1943, the craft company has produced the traditional cutlery in a retro design. 15 years ago they decided that inclusion should be at least as important as making cutlery. They were supposed to extend a hand to those who did not fit in elsewhere, and help them into Norwegian working life. The philosophy is that everyone deserves a chance and must be seen at work. You may not leave work without saying yes. Tell us about other workplaces that work actively to create belonging and inclusion. Comment at the bottom of the article. Each and every shaft is carefully polished. In the workshop, Robin sits concentrated at the polishing machine. The well-known shafts in oak, teak and plastic get round, fine edges. The craft is in the fingers. He has been in the industry since high school, but it is in this workplace that he finally feels that he can be himself. Robin has a permanent job at the knife factory Skaugum For this is where Robin is seen. The 36-year-old from Geilo experienced a lot of bullying while growing up. He often has bad days, but it always helps his mood to come to work. – I ease the boss’s heart a little, have a chat about what is difficult. That’s very nice, then, says Robin. – I have very close contact with my boss, Jonas. He is very inclusive and helps us to become a better person, says Robin Own philosophy – Employers usually call NAV and ask for people with special qualifications. We do the opposite. When we call, we say: – Send someone who is struggling, says general manager Jonas. – Then they come here, and we welcome them to the Skaugum family. We start by saying: – Remember that we love you no matter what. What are you good at? Jonas gestures and explains what usually happens when someone outside society tries to fit into a workplace: What happens when someone outside society tries to fit into a workplace? Many of those who come are terrified. They feel that they are not good at something and are afraid of making mistakes. At Skaugum bestikkfabrikk, they create a workplace based on what you are good at. The small company with seven employees always has two open places for someone who needs a new start in working life. – From day one, we are clear that they will not work here forever, but they will move on when they are ready. Here they will be kings and queens in their own lives. The working hours are very flexible. Some people can’t get up on time, so they work longer, says Rejdemo. In addition, there are two workplaces, with wage subsidies from NAV. In this workplace, everyone is seen for who they are. In this company, clear demands are made, but when things don’t go well, the boss is there straight away and steps in to provide support. – We say that you should be who you are, and that is good enough. We’re not going to change you, we’re just going to get you on your feet before you move on. You can’t help but notice this word in the workshop. Jan Arild Martinsen constantly has to have a little reminder to breathe. Pull it in deeply. If breathing stops, dizziness may occur. In this workplace, such notes are completely natural. The smile is always on the lookout for Jan Arild. With razor-sharp precision, he ensures that the holes are drilled correctly in the shaft. Five new plastic shafts have been drilled exactly in the middle. Now they are ready for the next part. When everything is in place, the person can walk straight, shine and make a difference, says the boss with his clear blue eyes. – The aim is to become the world’s best workplace. Ambitious, but we think it will work, he smiles warmly. The factory he manages is a profitable business. Last year they had a turnover of 7.7 million and are making a profit. – More should be done like Skaugum bestikkfabrikk Interested, the NAV manager in Hallingdal leans over Jonas’s back and watches how he works. He is concerned that many more workplaces should do as they do. Labor is needed. Many Norwegian workplaces do not get hold of enough heads and hands, says the NAV manager in Hallingdal. With inclusion, you can get more people into work. – You notice as soon as you enter the walls here that there is a great deal of commitment. This place is truly something to strive for. He believes that more companies must give those who are outside the labor market a chance. It must be anchored in the value base so that it does not just become a one-off. Sometimes people come and knock on the door and ask if they can work there. The rumor is about a good place. – When I come home, my heart is light. This is absolutely the best workplace I’ve had, says Robin Nordengen Bjørnstad. Above the ceiling hangs the picture of a smiling King Haakon. He was clear that they were allowed to use the name Skaugum on one condition: They should operate “tidy and well”. They do that at first. The philosophy of the company is clear. The human being is at the center. Then everything else comes around. The boss Jonas and Robin are both concerned with quality. They work closely together to get the best product. The craft company produces several hundred cutlery parts every day, and the economy is doing well. – It is a shame for society if you exclude people who have some challenges. We all have that throughout our lives, says the NAV chief. According to Mental health, the workplace is one of the most important arenas for preventing alienation. We build Skaugum together every day. It’s 10 o’clock. All production stops. Robin, Jan Arild, Jonas and Jens Morten find purple training mats which they lay out on the workshop floor. Monica puts on Spotify and suddenly the milling from the polishing machines is replaced by Latin American rhythms and the hit Despacito. At the skaugum factory, it is compulsory to train every day at ten o’clock. The daily training makes the bond extra strong. Here there is no difference between boss and employee. Jonas is also hanging on: – In the last six years, we have helped five people who have been outside Norwegian working life. – It’s a small number? – It’s a small number, but imagine if more companies could do the same? If we can help five, then others can help five and then we are on our way. For Geilo as a small place, five pieces is still a lot. Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue
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Robin (36): – Here I feel that I am good enough
