NET joins Norway’s Inclusive Working Life scheme

This is what we believe we have achieved so far, but it does not come naturally. In order to keep this good spirit, things must be arranged for the individual. We must remember that we think and act differently, this is an advantage we must utilize for the good of NET and ourselves as individuals. As part of putting the conditions in order, we contacted NAV and applied to become an IA company.

What is IA?

IA is the abbreviation for "an inclusive working life" and originates from the Agreement of Intent on a more inclusive working life, which was concluded between the parties in working life and the government.

The agreement's main aim is to provide space for everyone who can and wants to work. Businesses that enter into a cooperation agreement with NAV become IA businesses with access to special services and tools.

The main arena for IA work is the workplace, and the main actors are the employer and the employee. NAV has been tasked with assisting businesses that want to work to achieve one or more of the goals in the Agreement of Intent.

The collaboration agreement is based on the Agreement of Intent, and is an agreement between the individual business and NAV for businesses that wish to be IA businesses. The cooperation agreement clarifies the division of responsibilities and tasks. A separate guide has been prepared for the collaboration agreement, which explains key concepts and describes how businesses and authorities should proceed in the work for a more inclusive working life.

When a business signs a cooperation agreement with NAV, they become an IA business. IA businesses get their own contact person in the employment center in their county and get access to some financial instruments reserved for IA businesses. The contact person provides advice and guidance in the IA work and ensures that means of action are triggered quickly and effectively. The contact person also has a coordinating role vis-à-vis NAV locally and other public bodies.

It costs nothing to sign a cooperation agreement. The Working Life Center can, among other things, provide advice and guidance, ensure that financial measures are triggered quickly and assist the business in difficult individual cases.

The condition for becoming an IA business is that the employer and the employees agree on this and undertake to cooperate systematically in order to achieve the goals of a more inclusive working life. In return, IA businesses have rights that are only reserved for these businesses:

§  Facilitation grant
§  Active sick leave without prior approval from NAV locally 
§  Fees for company health service
§ Expanded self notification