The staffing process - an opportunity to influence the future job in the new company and to create an integrated company.
The staffing process was created to balance opportunities and job security.
More than 10 000 positions below the Executive committee were posted on the integration website, and employees had the opportunity to indicate their interest for preferred position.
This gave everyone the chance to influence their own future and geographic location in the new organisation.
The staffing took place in a sequential process where leadership positions were posted and filled in the period from March to June.
The main staffing process for the majority of positions was starting in June.
The staffing process was completed in September, and more than 80 percent who indicated interest for a position obtained either their first or second job preference.
Most of those who did not express their interest were placed in similar positions to those they held before the merger.
Relocation of people was considered important to achieve integration between the two companies, and relocation packages were offered to stimulate mobility.
The design of the new organisation, and the principles and guidelines for the staffing process, was developed in a constructive dialogue with employee representatives.
The staffing process for offshore and onshore production plants in Norway will take place in 2008.
