Norway's only competence centre for the prevention and management of problematic substance use and gambling in the workplace. We provide organisations with expertise, tools and advice to create safe and inclusive workplaces.
What we offer
- Guidance - you can talk to our advisers about how to prepare for and carry out a conversation with an employee or colleague. Call us or use the direct message service at the bottom of the page.
- Courses and training – sign up for digital and in-person courses and seminars (held in Norwegian) that enable you to prevent and manage problematic use in the workplace. You can also order courses tailored to your organisation.
- In-house measures – we assist you with relevant information, talks, workshops and the design of a substance use and gambling policy tailored to your organisation.
- Tools and resources – we offer several free tools, including examples and templates that help you deal with substance use and gambling problems in the workplace, as well as a guide to the Akan model (in Norwegian).
Who we are
Our team consists of eight experienced advisers with specialist expertise in working life, health and substance use prevention. We also have an administration department and a communications department. The Akan competence centre is led by director Siri Gåsemyr Staalesen.
We believe in early intervention, open dialogue and giving people opportunities, for the benefit of both employees and organisations.
The competence centre is located in Dronningens gate in Oslo, but we assist organisations all over Norway.
Akan kompetansesenter (the Akan competence centre) was established in 1963 by NHO (the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise), LO (the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions) and the Norwegian state. Ever since, we have been a driving force for an inclusive working life in Norway with a strong focus on substance use prevention. Everyone in working life can use our services.
Our values: attentive, fearless and generous.
Our vision: We enable managers and employees to prevent and manage problematic use of alcohol, drugs, medication, gambling and doping.
Our motto: The gain lies in openness.
Frequently asked questions
Every day we receive calls from Norwegian workplaces with questions about alcohol, drugs and gambling problems involving employees. Here are some examples of what they ask:
- I need to talk to an employee who is often hungover at work. Do you have any tips on how to raise the issue?
- A colleague came to work under the influence today. What do I do?
- We have found cocaine at our workplace. What can we do?
- Are we allowed to test employees for drugs and alcohol?