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Norske Shell whistleblower, Runar Kjørsvik

One of the listed articles focussed on allegations that Shell was spying on its own employees. Runar Kjørsvik, a whistleblower from the Shell Nyhamna Gas Plant, had discovered to his shock and horror that Shell was in possession of surveillance photographs of him taken by persons unknown. He alleges that Shell used undercover agents to spy on him.

Norske Shell whistleblower, Runar Kjørsvik

By John Donovan

Nearly two years ago, I published an extraordinary series of articles about the sinister conduct at Norske Shell, the Norwegian subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

Links are provided below in date order.

A translated example of one of the news articles published in Norway in the late few days is printed below. They reveal the pressure being put on the Norwegian government over the involvement of “external investigators” in so-called fact-finding surveys used in proceedings against employees.

A Shell Upstream Director has admitted in writing that a culture of fear has existed among employees at the Nyhamna Gas Plant.

One of the listed articles focussed on allegations that Shell was spying on its own employees. Runar Kjørsvik, a whistleblower from the Shell Nyhamna Gas Plant, had discovered to his shock and horror that Shell was in possession of surveillance photographs of him taken by persons unknown. He alleges that Shell used undercover agents to spy on him.

Evidence supplied to a global news organisation that the Safe union representing Shell Norske employees confirmed suspicions about how Shell knew so much about union activity and that Shell had spied on Runar Kjørsvik via social media.  Shell argues that this is acceptable because social media postings are in the public domain.

Employees should bear this news in mind before posting any negative comments on social media about Shell. Big brother Shell is no doubt keeping records for potential use against what Shell considers to be disloyal employees. So much for free speech.

Shell suspended then closed down its own Internet forum “Tell Shell”, after initially inviting ALL comments. Shell’s then HR boss Jon Hofmeister had claimed:

We genuinely do welcome all comments, positive and negative. We also believe that employees must be able to speak out without fear of rebuke or retribution. We are realistic enough to understand that for some people – leaders and staff -this could yet mean a change in attitude, but it is a change we are determined to work for.

Shell subsequently decided that promoting free speech about the company was not a good idea.  (see Shell employees must be able to speak out without fear of retribution)

Runar Kjørsvik is serving further related proceedings on Shell. His battle against the sleazy oil and gas giant goes on.

The government is required to investigate the review trend

The Labor Party, Hadia Tajik, said the use of external investigators in labor conflicts threatens the Norwegian model. PHOTO: TORE MEEK / NTB SCANPIX

By Rolv Christian Topdahl@rolvcJournalist
Runar Kjørsvik lost his job and became ill-reported after being examined by the employer. Now Hadia Tajik (AP) requires the government to check if this applies to more.

“It is strong to read the story of Runar Kjørsvik. He describes a situation that must have been very demanding for him, and as I fear that other workers may have experienced, says the Labor Party, Hadia Tajik.

NRK has reported that Runar Kjørsvik that was fired from Norwegian Shell after a fact-finding survey.

A factual survey is a review method for dealing with labor conflicts. The point is to find out if someone has violated the Working Environment Act in a conflict. Then it is up to the employer to take action. At worst, someone loses the job (see the facts).

“It is strong to read the story of Runar Kjørsvik. He describes a situation that must have been very demanding for him, and as I fear that other workers may have experienced, says the Labor Party, Hadia Tajik.

NRK has reported that Runar Kjørsvik was fired from Norwegian Shell after a fact-finding survey.

A factual survey is a review method for dealing with labor conflicts. The point is to find out if someone has violated the Working Environment Act in a conflict. Then it is up to the employer to take action. At worst, someone loses the job (see the facts).
Professor Petter Gottschalk believes such surveys are a tool for employers to get rid of vulnerable employees. He also says that the volume is increasing.

Tajik now requires the government to take action.

– The Minister of Labor should take the initiative to review how factual surveys are used and what consequences they receive. In this way, we can assess whether we should set any political boundaries for this, she says.

– Foreign in the Norwegian working culture
The ap-leader points out that methods such as factual surveys are foreign in the Norwegian working culture. She believes that the use of external reviewers in conflict cases is a sign that the workforce moves in the American direction.

Instead of the fact that the trustees and the management at the individual workplace collaborate on resolving a conflict, Tajik fears that the employer cheers to lawyers and external reviewers.

“I’m very worried,” she says.

Today, in principle, anyone can become a fact-finding researcher by taking a third-rate course at the Work Environment Specialists.

Several workforce experts, as NRK has talked to, believes there is insufficient control in this area. They propose stricter guidelines and a certification scheme that ensures that those who conduct the factual surveys are competent enough.

Tajik does not exclude such grips.

“At the outset, I still think that there is a need to chart the extent and consequences of it,” she says.

Standing behind the Labor Inspectorate

NRK has tried to obtain a comment from the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Anniken Hauglie (H). She does not wish to comment on the case to Runar Kjørsvik, but refers to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority’s general statements on the use of factual surveys.

The Labor Inspectorate does not recommend or discourage the use of factual surveys, Department Director Monica Seem has told NRK.

Hauglies State Secretary, Morten Bakke, answers the following on the issue of Tajik:

“In principle, it is important that the employer investigates matters concerning a health hazardous working environment. The Labor Inspectorate emphasizes that the choice and implementation of the method is the employer’s responsibility, he says.

READ ALSO: 40 employees joined the advertising agency: – We will be worn out, or broken

SOURCE

RELATED

Climate of fear at Shell Nyhamna Gas Plant in Norway: 

Shell trying to ignore media firestorm in Norway: 

Informers regime at Shell Nyhamna Gas Plant: 4 March 2018

SHOW TRIAL OF A SHELL NORWAY SAFETY REP: 7 March 2018

Employees Exposed to Benzene Contamination at Shell Nyhamna Gas Plant: 11 March 2018

Web Attack on Whistleblower by Shell Upstream Director: 

LEAKED EMAIL FROM SHELL MD TOR ARNESEN ABOUT SHELL SPYING ON ITS OWN EMPLOYEES: 15 March 2017

Shell Upstream Director Admits Culture of Fear Among Shell Employees: 20 March 2018

A/S Norske Shell Secret Meeting With Whistleblower: 22 March 2017

This website and sisters royaldutchshellgroup.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.

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