Orientation to the work is every worker’s right

The employer is responsible for ensuring that workers receive sufficient orientation to the work and the workplace. The purpose of the orientation is for the worker to learn how to perform their tasks, how the workplace operates, how to use the tools correctly and how to ensure safety at work. Orientation enables you to work in the workplace community and perform tasks correctly and safely.

If the tasks or conditions change, the employer must provide the worker with instruction and guidance for the new tasks and responsibilities and the new requirements and conditions. Instruction and guidance refers to all the aspects related to performing the actual work, such as the work phases and the required skills.

Everyone is entitled to orientation and guidance

All personnel groups have the right to orientation and instruction and guidance. This also applies to temporary agency workers, summer workers and seasonal workers. Appropriate orientation training is important for safety, among other aspects.

During orientation, the following will be discussed:

• Your tasks
• Matters related to your employment (for example the working time, trial period, wages and holiday bonus)
• Matters related to the payment of wages (such as the delivery of a payslip to ensure that you have been paid correctly)
• Workstations
• Matters related to safety, such as guidance on how to use of equipment, the use of any protective equipment, and occupational healthcare and what it includes.

Typically, the provider of orientation training will give you written materials that you should study carefully. Orientation training is usually also your first contact with your colleagues.

Orientation for new tasks

Employees also need orientation and guidance in a new situation or when transferring to new tasks.

Instruction and guidance is always required when

• The work is new to the worker
• Tasks change
• Working methods change
• New machines, equipment and materials are introduced and used
• The work is performed infrequently
• Safety instructions are ignored
• An accident occurs or an occupational disease is detected in the workplace
• Shortcomings are detected in the instruction and guidance that has been provided
• The situation is different from normal
• Errors are detected in operations, and defects are detected in the quality of products and services