The annual working environment discussion (arbejdsmiljødrøftelse) is the company's fixed time to plan the cooperation. The rule is in § 4 of the executive order on systematic working environment work (BEK no. 608 of 29 June 2026).
What must be discussed?
Every year, together with the working environment organisation, the employer must hold a discussion in which the participants:
- plan the content of the cooperation on safety and health for the coming year
- decide how the cooperation is to take place, including forms of cooperation and meeting intervals
- assess whether the previous year's goals have been met
- set goals for the coming year
- discuss whether the company has the necessary expertise in the working environment
In companies with a working environment organisation, the working environment committee must also discuss the supplementary training of working environment representatives and supervisors (§ 4(2)).
The employer must be able to document in writing to the Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet) that the discussion has taken place (§ 4(3)).
The employer's duties towards the organisation
- make sure the cooperation is established, developed and maintained, and that top management is represented (§ 33)
- draw up a plan of how the working environment organisation is structured, with its members, and make the employees aware of it
- give the members reasonable time for their duties (§ 35)
- make sure the employees have regular contact with their working environment representative and supervisor (§ 34)
- consult the organisation before external expert help is sought (§ 36)
- make the members aware of the Working Environment Authority's decisions and written orders (§ 36(2))
- give the organisation access to lists and reports of accidents at work (§ 35(5))
Goals that can be used
A good goal is concrete and can be followed up. "Better psychosocial working environment" is too vague. "All departments have reviewed the division of work before 1 June" can be checked.
Cooperation and communication in everyday work
The rules say who must cooperate. They do not say how to make it go well. Here is some advice that many people have had good experience with:
- Stick to the matter. Describe what you have seen or heard, rather than guessing at causes or blame.
- Be specific. Say "the pallets are heavy and there is no lifting equipment at gate 3" instead of "the work is hard".
- Write decisions down. Who does what, and by when? Put it in the minutes so it can be followed up.
- Give feedback. When a colleague has spoken up, they should hear what happens. Even if the answer is no.
- Use both roles. The supervisor knows the operations, and the working environment representative knows the colleagues. Proposals that build on both are easier to carry out.
- Take up problems early. It is easier to solve a small problem today than a big one in six months.
When proposals are turned down
If the working environment committee has proposed something and the employer does not follow the proposal, the committee has the right to a justification within 3 weeks (§ 30(3)). Get it in writing. Then you can take up the subject again next time.
Small companies
In companies with 1-9 employees, the employer must make sure the employees receive the information that is important for safety and health, and that they can make proposals. They must be consulted before new technology is introduced (§ 11).