March 30, 2026
Workplace inclusion in practice
Marius has worked at REMA 1000 for more than 30 years and is a great example of how working life can make room for people with different needs and abilities. For Marius, the job has made a huge difference. Those who know him best describe the job as life-changing.
From left: Roger Madjek and Marius Seim. Photo: Camilla Solberg / Reitan Retail
At REMA 1000 Ensjø, Marius is best known as “the cardboard general”. Aa positive and unifying presence for both colleagues and customers.
As franchisee Roger Madjek puts it,
– We simply couldn’t manage without Marius. He is an invaluable resource.
When Roger opened his own store, it was only natural for Marius to come with him. Today, Marius is a natural part of the team. At Ensjø, they help each other, work together and eat lunch together every single day. And every Friday, there are sausages in the break room. It is in these everyday moments that inclusion truly happens.
For Roger, the role of franchisee is about more than results and operations. Workplace inclusion is an important part of the responsibility, especially locally. The store also employs several young people who are completing their education through practical training. One day at school and four days of paid work in the store give them valuable work experience, while also fostering a sense of achievement and belonging. This makes it easier for more young people to complete school and take the step into working life.
Around 700 000 people in Norway are outside the labour market, and more than 100 000 of them are young. Many of these resources are simply waiting for an opportunity.
When employers choose to give people responsibility, trust and a genuine place in working life, something changes on both sides. People get a reason to wake up in the morning, a sense of community and belonging. Workplaces gain committed employees, stronger teams and a better working environment.
Reitan Retail employs nearly 20 000 people across the country, in stores, stations and kiosks. For many people, the store is their first encounter with working life. For others, it is a way back in. The threshold is low, and personal qualities are valued more than formal qualifications.
For Marius, it is about more than just having a job. It is about belonging, being seen and appreciated. About colleagues, routines and the small moments that make everyday life meaningful – like lunch breaks and sausages on Fridays.
We know that inclusion doesn’t happen by itself. It grows through human interactions, and when someone takes responsibility for making things work, both for the store and for the individual.