– Do not want to be associated with this type of management culture – E24

The former customer of the app company states that they have asked Shortcut to “refrain from actively using the Vipps brand” in their marketing.

– This is a frightening story about a lack of culture in a company that has been going on for far too many years, says Vipps’ communications manager, Caroline Lunde, to E24.

On Saturday, E24 told about Sofie. She was employed by the app company Shortcut for several years, and experienced unwanted sexual attention from a manager during a work party in 2019.

She describes the next four years as a struggle to be believed, and was on sick leave for several periods during the investigation that followed.

Read the whole story here: Sofie warned – then the nightmare started

Shortcut has helped create some of Norway’s most used apps: Reiseappen Ruter, Rema 1000’s Æ-app and Vipps.

– Customers and employees have many questions now. We understand that, and we do what we can to give them answers to their questions, says CEO of Shortcut, Jonas Rein Tovsen, to E24.

Hoping for a settlement

Vipps informs E24 that they had developers from Shortcut in some of their teams to varying extents from 2018 to 2023.

– We no longer work with Shortcut, but we have been in contact this weekend when, in light of this, we have asked them to refrain from using the Vipps brand actively in their marketing. We were met with understanding for that, says communications manager Caroline Lunde.

– It is important for me to say that we have worked with many good people in Shortcut who we wish well, but we do not want to be associated with this type of management culture.

She emphasizes that they have been very satisfied with the work Shortcut’s employees have done for them.

– But for us it is absolutely crucial that our suppliers practice management that lives up to our values. We hope that Shortcut will now deal properly with the unculture that Sofie and others are sharing openly about right now, she says.

– Sofie coming forward with this story is brave and important.

– Basically, we completely agree, says managing director Jonas Rein Tovsen in Shortcut about Lunde’s statements.

He tells E24 that they understand that Vipps is asking them to stop using them in their marketing going forward, and that they are following their wishes.

– There has been a culture in parts of the company that has not been good. We became aware of this in 2021/2022, and have worked continuously since then to ensure that there is a good and safe working environment in Shortcut.

Rema: Asking for an explanation

– When Rema 1000 became aware of this matter in 2022, we immediately started a dialogue with Shortcut who assured that they had taken action and cleaned it up, says Pia Mellbye, sales and marketing director at Rema 1000.

In 2022, E24 discussed the notification case in Shortcut, which meant that two managers had to leave.

Mellbye says that after the talks in 2022 they decided to continue the collaboration.

– On the basis of these assurances, we then decided to continue the collaboration. When the matter came up again, we asked for a new explanation to confirm that previous information is still correct and that there have been no discrepancies, she says.

– Rema 1000 has clear ethical guidelines and strict requirements for our suppliers. Shortcut is a large app provider that works with many large companies. We have purchased services from them in connection with our benefit program.

Jonas Rein Tovsen in Shortcut tells E24 that they have been in ongoing dialogue with Rema, and answered the questions they have received from them.

Routes: – Unacceptable

Ruter also has an agreement with Shortcut today, through its digital development subsidiary TET.

– We assume that all companies we have a contract with follow the laws and rules of the game in Norwegian working life, says Elisabeth Skarsbø Moen, director of communications and public relations at the company.

– The case makes a very strong impression. What she has been exposed to is completely unacceptable, she says.

Moen states that they currently have nine hired consultants from Shortcut, who all work with app development. She emphasizes that these do a good job with high quality.

– We see the consultants in the company as valuable and highly qualified competence, who deserve respect for both who they are and the work they do.

Shortcut sorry

Shortcut manager Jonas Rein Tovsen tells E24 that they “share the same view as Ruter”.

– What was uncovered is unacceptable, and we apologize to all concerned. We can assure you that we have done what we can to address the conditions that were uncovered in 2021/2022. We naturally follow the laws and rules of the game in Norwegian working life, he says.

Tovsen points out that the company has trained its managers in handling alerts, strengthened employee follow-up and worked to strengthen culture and cohesion.

– We feel that the company is in a completely different place now, and this is also confirmed in employee surveys. At the same time, we know that this is continuous work, and it will continue to be high on our agenda going forward.

Tovsen states that they will now engage in dialogue with employees, the working environment committee and employee representatives on the board to see if they can take further measures.

– We have received yet another reminder of how important it is to work for a healthy culture and good management. We have also received a number of questions from customers and employees, and we answer these as best we can.