Ansatt

Ansatt is a Norwegian noun meaning a person who is employed by an employer under an employment contract. The term is used in both singular and plural forms, and can also function as an adjective in compound phrases. In the singular, the form is en ansatt; in the plural, de ansatte or ansatte refers to the staff or employees as a group. The word originates from the verb å ansette, to hire, with ansatt serving as the past participle describing someone who has been employed.

In everyday language, ansatt designates an employee within a specific organization. Common phrases include fast ansatt (a permanent employee) and midlertidig ansatt (a temporary employee). The plural de ansatte is often used to refer to the staff collectively, while den ansatte can refer to a particular employee.

In formal or legal contexts, arbeidstaker is often preferred because it emphasizes the legal status of an employee within labor law. Arbeidsgiver denotes the employer. Nevertheless, ansatt remains widely used in corporate communications, HR, and media, reflecting a practical and less formal term for someone employed.

Related terms include personale (staff), ansettelse (appointment or hiring), and ansettelsesforhold (employment relationship). The distinction between ansatt and arbeidstaker is mainly stylistic and contextual: ansatt emphasizes the practical role within a specific organization, while arbeidstaker highlights the legal status under employment law.