Turning Skepticism into Success – Lawai’s HR Impact in Melhus Municipality
Adopting AI in HR: A Journey from Skepticism to Routine
Joacim A. Kristiansen became Head of HR in Melhus Municipality in spring 2024, after nearly three decades in the national government sector. He now leads an HR unit that supports local leaders throughout the entire employment process – from hiring to offboarding. With military training, including officer school, and academic expertise in leadership, pedagogy, and psychology, Kristiansen is well-prepared to handle the complex landscape of public-sector HR.
– I'm responsible for everything that happens in the workplace – from when a manager wants to hire someone to when they can no longer be employed – and everything in between.
Lawai as a Trusted Legal Companion
When Kristiansen was first introduced to Lawai, he was unsure whether it would offer any real practical value.
– When I got a trial version of Lawai for the first time, I wasn’t convinced. But after a couple of strong nudges, I started pushing myself to use it actively every day.
Now, Lawai is a systematic part of his workflow – from preparatory employee meetings and mediation work to answering questions from employee organizations and writing formal warnings. It acts as a legal sparring partner, supporting him in weighing options and crafting sound solutions.
A Tool for Learning and Development
Lawai is now part of the internal learning culture – used in case excersises, group work, and training for new apprentices.
– It gives me a chance to practice proper prompting and learn to ask better questions, Kristiansen explains.
Working Smarter with a Solid Legal Base
The tool has led to significant time savings, especially in preparations and written tasks:
– You can’t just ask a question and expect a ready-made answer. You have to work with it. But Lawai cuts down the time I spend preparing and finalizing significantly.
In demanding situations like downsizing, Lawai has delivered valuable insights and case foundations where textbooks fall short:
– It was really a ‘thank goodness for Lawai’ situation. I created a prompt and got a strong basis for the dialogue meeting with the union representatives.
– If you want one tool to improve your work life in 2025, go with Lawai. I know it might sound like I’m being paid to say this – but I’m not.
A Modern Tool for a Modern Employer
Kristiansen emphasizes that the public sector needs to evolve in order to stay competitive as an employer:
– If we don’t use modern tools, we risk becoming the kind of employer no one wants to work for. And if I want to stay relevant in my own career, I have to know how to use them.
A Game-Changer for Local Government
The breakthrough moment came when municipal regulations were integrated into Lawai – a crucial factor for Kristiansen as a new leader coming from a state background:
– That’s what made all the difference for me. With Lawai as a support system, you get to the root of the issue much faster. It’s efficient.
He compares the transition to early milestones in digital development:
– For those of us who remember using basic search engines in the mid-90s… this is something entirely different.
A Strong Recommendation
Kristiansen has a clear message for colleagues and other municipalities:
– If you want one tool to improve your work life in 2025, go with Lawai. I know it might sound like I’m being paid to say this – but I’m not.
He finishes by emphasizing just how important the tool has become:
– I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep the license – because I’ve seen the results.
