Ansatte

Ansatte is the Norwegian term for individuals who are employed by an employer under an employment contract. The word denotes the body of workers collectively and is used in everyday language as well as in official statistics, HR contexts, and legal discussions. An employee is usually distinguished from the employer (arbeidsgiver) and from independent contractors or self-employed persons.

In Norwegian, ansatt is the singular form and ansatte is the plural. The term covers full-time and part-time workers, temporary staff, and interns who have an employment relationship with the company. Common expressions include fast ansatte (permanent staff) and midlertidig ansatte or vikarer (temporary employees).

In law and policy, employees’ rights are protected by labor legislation and by collective agreements where applicable. The terms of employment, wages, and benefits are typically set by contract and, in many sectors, by tariff agreements negotiated by unions. The concept of an ansatt contrasts with self-employed individuals (frilansere or selvstendig næringsdrivende), who operate under a different legal framework.

In statistics and economics, the number of employees is a common indicator of economic activity and business size. Data on ansatte are used to measure sysselsetting (employment) and to analyze labor market performance, productivity, and economic development.