Background Check in Norway

What are the Benefits of Background Checks in Norway?

An employee screening in Norway can benefit an organization when done correctly and complies with data privacy laws. The benefits include: 

• Helps you hire qualified candidates
  One primary benefit is reducing the risk of fraud, theft, or other criminal activities in an organization. By conducting a thorough background check, you can always ensure that you hire trustworthy candidates with clean records to work at your company.‍
• Avoids legal issues
  Various sectors, such as health, finance, and education, mandate a thorough background check. You can guarantee compliance with all regulatory requirements and avoid legal challenges by performing the same. ‍
• Compliant hiring process
  ‍An extensive background check adds extra protection and quality to the hiring process. By analyzing the information obtained from employee screening, you can better decide who to choose and whom not to hire.

What are the Types of Background Checks in Norway?

As mentioned before, Norway has some extensive laws related to background checks. 

These regulations account for certain restrictions or limitations in Norway's employee screening process. Let’s examine a few examples.

Criminal Record Check

• You can request a police certificate of conduct from a potential candidate only if the job post requires it. 
  For example, if the job demands managing tasks related to minors or persons with developmental disabilities or the candidate is to serve in the fire and rescue service, you can request a criminal record check in such cases.

• To obtain the police certificate, you can either apply online or via post. 
• There are five types of police certificates of conduct in Norway: ordinary police certificates of conduct, exhaustive police certificates of conduct, exhaustive and expanded police certificates of conduct, ordinary and expanded police certificates of conduct, and limited police certificates of conduct.
• The information included in the police certificate differs based on which type of document you are applying for. 

Employment history check

• It includes verifying the accuracy of the information provided by job candidates on their resumes related to their previous employment. 
• You may cross-check the job title, salary, and employment dates.
• For this purpose, you can also contact the candidate’s previous company’s HR department. 

Medical screening 

• You can ask for health data from job applicants in Norway to assess whether they are physically fit to carry out the tasks for the role in question.
• If the job role of a pilot demands physical and mental fitness, employers may request pre-employment medical screening from the candidate. 

Credit history check 

• Credit history checks in Norway are allowed only when the job entails great economic responsibility. 
• Furthermore, a credit report can only be requested for employees who have successfully cleared the final round of the recruitment process. 

Education history check

• An education history check displays the authenticity of the applicant’s education claims.
• It proves the degrees, certifications, and training they have received. 
• You can directly get in touch with the educational institutions or deploy third-party verification services to ensure accuracy.

Social media check

• Social media checks can only be conducted in Norway if necessary for the job.
• The candidate must be correctly informed before performing a social media check.

Requirements for Background Checks in Norway

The documents required for conducting an employee background check in Norway may differ depending on the type of screening. Nonetheless, we have compiled a list of some of the most common documents that need to be submitted. 

• Name and address of the employee
• Norwegian National ID number
• Copies of academic qualifications: school name, degree, date of attendance, degree
• Details of employment history: employer name, contact information, job position held, release form
• Scanned image of employee’s passport

Steps in Conducting Background Checks in Norway

Let’s examine the key steps that every employer should follow when conducting an employee background check in Norway.

Step 1: Obtain the candidate’s approval 

You must have understood by now that Norway has strict rules for accessing personal information. 

So, before you start the employee screening, you must obtain explicit consent from candidates before processing their data.

Step 2: Conduct the investigation

Once consent has been obtained, you can verify the details provided by the candidate. 

For example, if you are conducting an employment history check, you can contact the candidate's previous employer or the references provided by them to gauge the accuracy of the information.

Step 3: Compile and review the report

Once the verification has been completed, compile all the information you have gathered and thoroughly analyze it. 

If everything has gone smoothly, mark the report as ‘clear’ as a sign to proceed. If any loophole has been detected, mark it as ‘consider’ and take the necessary action. 

This approach will enable you to make a better-informed hiring decision.

Are Employee Background Checks Legal in Norway?

Yes, employee background checks are legal in Norway. The only requirement is to ensure compliance with all the rules and regulations laid down by the following regulations:

• Working Environment Act
• The Personal Data Act and 
• The General Data Protection Regulation

Planning to Hire in Norway? Skuad Can Help

International hiring has long been a hassle for multiple enterprises. 

Whether maintaining compliance with local labor laws or navigating payroll policies, businesses struggle to keep up with the tasks involved in the recruitment process. 

This is where Skuad’s EOR comes in. It is a one-stop shop for simplifying all the complexities of the international hiring journey, including background checks. 

With our EOR solution, we help you conduct compliant hiring that also includes a thorough background verification. 

This way, you can better focus your time and energy on other pressing business issues. 

From professional reference checks to identity verification checks, you can always guarantee that your candidate meets all the requirements. 

Book a demo today and transform your international hiring journey with affordable, customized solutions.

FAQs

Q1: Does Norway do background checks?

Ans: Yes, background checks are standard in Norway. However, certain restrictions exist regarding the type of employee screening you wish to conduct in this country. 

Q2: What are the hiring practices in Norway?

Ans: The Norwegian Working Environment Act clearly outlines hiring practices in Norway. It is the primary legislation governing the employee-employer relationship in this country. Under this Act, the standard working time for full-time employees has been set at 40 hours per week.

Q3: What are the labor standards in Norway?

Ans: The Norwegian Working Environment Act sets labor standards in Norway. It includes key provisions related to working conditions, overtime compensation, leave policies, and termination processes. 

Q4: Do employers do international background checks?

Ans: Yes, international background checks are standard. They are crucial processes that help gauge the accuracy of information provided by job applicants in their resumes or CVs.