Human resources are our most important resource that we strive to nurture. Our goal is to create a safe and good working environment so that work can contribute to an increased quality of life for employees. The Human Resources Policy and other policies in support of it ensure a common vision of the employees and management of Ósar and its subsidiaries as a workplace. The policies define the companies’ key priorities when it comes to building a solid and progressive workplace and have the common goal of attracting, retaining and strengthening outstanding employees and supporting them in professional and personal growth.

The Group has adopted a Policy against Bullying, Harassment and Violence stating that bullying, gender-based or sexual harassment, as well as other violence, are under no circumstances tolerated. The Group’s Human Resources Manager is responsible for policy, procedures and education in this area.

Respect for Employees’ Personal Life

It is clear that many factors, – physical, social as well as mental – affect how employees feel in and out of the workplace. We focus on creating a positive and encouraging work environment where communication is characterised by mutual respect and empathy. We also respect the personal life of employees by offering flexibility in the organisation of work and working hours so that everyone is able to reconcile their work responsibilities and responsibilities towards their family.

Opportunities to Grow and Prosper in Life and Work

The Education Policy of Ósar and its subsidiaries aims to enable employees to increase their skills and make full use of their talents at work at any given time. With a results-driven culture, we want to create opportunities for employees to grow and prosper in life and work, and therefore, the emphasis is on offering a variety of education and training that is suitable for a diverse group of employees. We use new knowledge in our work, share it with others and thus ensure the results of the training and education that is invested in.

The year 2021 was certainly a unique year and informative, but also full of opportunities and progress. The pandemic continued to make its mark on the work environment with associated challenges, but the results are a sign that the employees were not discouraged and showed, as before, what they are made of.

In the first half of the year, organisational changes were announced with the establishment of the parent company Ósar – the Lifeline of Health hf. At the end of the year, eighteen employees of the subsidiaries were transferred to the parent company, where they provide support services for the subsidiaries. These are support services in the fields of finance, quality control, human resources and information technology. The canteen, phonelines and reception for the Group were also combined in one place. During the year, five new employees were recruited directly to the newly established parent company. In other respects, the changes had little or no effect on the majority of employees and their daily work. Changes, however, are always accompanied by a new vision of opportunities and development, and we therefore welcome the exciting times ahead.

It is safe to say that 2021 was a challenging year, but with a concerted effort and solidarity, we met the challenges vigorously and managed to complete many important tasks. It is our staff’s ingenuity, daring, knowledge, ability and diligence that brings us success day after day, and we are looking forward to the new year, ready to accept all the tasks and opportunities that it will have to offer.

The Group employs a dynamic group of people with varied education with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience and knowledge of various areas of society. At the end of 2021, the total number of full-time equivalent positions was 186, compared to an average of 182 during the year. The average age of employees is 45 years.

Employees have a choice as to whether and in which union they pay, and 95% of employees are members of a union. Most are members of VR, or 62% of the Group’s employees, 10% are members of the Icelandic Pharmaceutical Association, 6% of Efling and 5% of Félag íslenskra náttúrufræðinga.

At the end of 2021, the gender division of employees was as follows:

Good health and ways to promote health are at the forefront of all our work. The Group has established a Health and Safety Policythat supports the Group’s Human Resources Policy and is seen as a guiding light for an improved working environment, better health and an increased quality of life for employees.

The year was in many ways unusual, with associated remote working and restrictions on gatherings, but in such times, health promotion is even more important. Employees are encouraged to take good care of their own health and lead a healthy lifestyle, and the Group contributes in this regard. Employees are i.a. provided with grants for fitness and other health promotion and are offered the purchase of a wide range of health-related products on special terms.

Ósar’s Health Week

In November 2021, Ósar’s Health Week was held, where the goal was to mobilise staff to take care of their health together. Every day of the week, a varied health-promoting programme was offered, where employees either shared their knowledge with colleagues, such as in the form of health goal training and product presentations, or encouraged each other to promote healthy activities, such as swimming and hiking. The Health Week was a great success despite having been marked by various restrictions, and the aim is for it to be an annual event from now on.