St1 has launched a virtual antiharassment training programme for its energy station employees in Norway, giving staff a safe environment to practise what to say and do if they face real-life confrontations.

Harassment, unwanted sexual comments, and threatening behaviour occur far too often for employees working in customer-facing positions. While our goal is to prevent such incidents entirely, the new online training provides guidance on how to respond if difficult situations do occur.

“We want people working in our retail network to have the tools and the backing to handle difficult customers professionally, and to know they’re never alone,” says Sofie Fredriksen, Training and Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Lead.

Around 1,200 employees have already completed the training in Norway, where it was launched in October 2025.

Simulation based on real incidents

Fredriksen served as content lead for the training, drawing on real cases from the station network and the HSSE handbook to ensure the scenarios feel authentic. The training guides staff through three scenarios: an angry customer, harassment, and a threat of violence. It focuses on conflict management, body language, clear communication, and what happens after the incident.

A dedicated section for managers emphasises the importance of creating a workplace culture where incidents are reported, followed up, and used for learning, and where employees trust that their immediate manager is their first point of contact.

Practise for real life

The scenes in the simulation are uncomfortable to watch, and that’s the point. Practising the words and the mindset makes it easier to act under pressure in real life. The message throughout the training is clear: report deviations, support each other, and make sure nobody faces difficult situations alone.