Why did you choose Embriq?
After graduating as a computer engineer and taking a master’s degree in media technology in 2003, Håvard was not one of those who got a job in the first week. “So I threw myself at whatever came my way. This happened to be Hafslund Sikkerhet, even though the job had nothing to do with my degree,” he says. After he had worked there for a few years, a vacancy came up at Service Desk, and he got the job. “That was in 2008, and I have been part of the Embriq journey from the very beginning.”
What is your typical working week like?
Håvard’s working week involves most things relating to HR. “I have a lot of contact with employees in all types of positions, both in Norway and Sweden – ordinary staff as well as managers. Many people contact us for help on various HR systems, timesheets, legislation and regulations, payroll issues, etc.” Håvard also supports management in various matters, delivers reports, draws up employment contracts, takes care of the practicalities involved in onboarding and offboarding, and is responsible for payroll. “My working week is varied, and it’s interesting to be involved in most of what happens at Embriq.”
Which YouTube video best describes you and why?
Here, Håvard opts for Iron Maiden with Hallowed Be Thy Name. “It has been played on many a fine trip and has been at the heart of some good live experiences!”
A fun fact about yourself that few would know about?
“I thought the smart option financially would be to finish my education before I left home. The challenge with this plan was that I had to spend a few years in the military before I graduated, and by then I had reached the age of 27 before I could fly the nest,” he says.
If you were stuck in a lift, who would you want to be stuck there with and why?
“It would have to be Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden.” Håvard says that Dickinson is multitalented and should take much of the credit for Iron Maiden being one of the best bands of all time. “But if the lift had been stuck for several hours, the choice would have been between Thomas Pettersen and Morten Mørk. They are never short for words, and they can keep a conversation going for hours on end without flagging,” he says, referring to two of his colleagues at Embriq.
What do you like most about your job?
Håvard singles out the best part of the job as being able to support and help members of staff. His working day is varied, and new challenges constantly arise that he finds exciting and instructive. “In HR, there are also issues that are difficult to handle, but then it’s nice to arrive at good solutions on the occasions this proves possible. I’m quite interested in structure and order, and I get to exploit that as an HR consultant. Salary payments should never involve the wrong amounts, and it’s always satisfying when everything is quiet as the grave after payslips have been sent out to the staff.
Do you have any workplace memories that you particularly cherish?
“I have many fond memories from Embriq. Special ones would be the annual cabin trips with ITMS to Hafjell – I will sit and reminisce about these in my old people’s home! The trips were undoubtedly the highlight of the year for many of us,” he says.