The Norwegian medical institution says it has introduced a new redesigned Hijab in cooperation with designers that both adheres to Muslim rules and at the same time is more comfortable to wear.

OUH has long had Hijabs suited to staff uniforms, it says, but explains the new type has softer fabric that is better.

“We can’t refrain from hiring an employee because the individual wears religious headgear, Hege Linnestad, head of section for equal opportunities health services, says in a statement.

“This is why we are facilitating for the use of Hijabs. We want to be an attractive place of work that is set up for the employees’ religious beliefs,” she adds.

Hege Linnestad in "shawl" Hijab
Nina E.Gausdal Try, OUSNorwegian legislation does not permit an employer to bar personnel from wearing religious headgear, except in special cases, but he/she does have the right to place demands on its design.

OUH has now had two models of Hijab made, a so-called “hood”, and "shawl". Personal Hijabs are no longer permitted.

“We understand the aesthetic reasons for wishing to wear these, but there are laundering requirements at the hospital. Everyone who wears a uniform and uses a hijab has to employ the hospital’s new models because they are to be cleaned together with the rest of the uniform,” declares Hege Linnestad.

The new Hijab types can withstand wash temperatures of between 85 and 90 degrees and are made as an all-in-one piece of fabric.

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