COUNTRY

Employment contracts in Norway must be in writing. Contracts for indefinite terms are preferred, but it is possible to hire employees on fixed-term contracts for temporary positions. This is generally done in cases of seasonal or project work, trainees, or replacement of permanent employees who are absent for an extended time, such as those on maternity leave. Employees who work continuously in a temporary position for three or four consecutive years, depending on the type of work, are entitled to a permanent position. A trial period must be specifically provided for in the employment contract and may not last longer than six months.

The standard workweek in Norway is 40 hours over five days. Many employees have collective bargaining agreements that limit their hours to 37.5 hours per week. The most common working hours are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, many employees work flexible hours and begin earlier or later than 8 a.m.

Employees may legally work up to nine hours in one day. Overtime is only allowed when there is a specific, urgent need and it may only be for a limited time. The maximum amount of allowable overtime is 10 hours per week, 25 hours in four consecutive weeks, and 200 hours per year. An employee may not work more than 13 hours in a single day or an average of 48 hours in one week, averaged over eight weeks.

Employers and employees may agree in a collective bargaining agreement to permit overtime of up to 20 hours per week, 50 hours in four consecutive weeks, and 300 hours in one year.

Employees receive 16 days of sick fully paid sick leave in Norway. From the 17th day, the employee receives a social security sickness benefit that is capped at six times the National Insurance Base amount. The social security payment may be collected for a maximum of 52 weeks. The employee must notify the employer of illness within three days, and the employer may require a written sick leave form. If the employee is sick for longer than three days, a doctor's note is required.

Female employees in Norway are entitled to six weeks of maternity leave after birth. Parents are entitled to 43 weeks of parental leave that they can split between them--other than the six weeks the mother must take after birth. Parents can take 53 weeks to split instead but will receive only 80% of the parental leave benefit paid by the government.

Norway does not have a national minimum wage. Performance-based bonuses are common.

Employees receive 25 days of paid annual leave in Norway. Employees over 60 years old receive 31 days. Every employee is entitled to three weeks of continuous leave between June 1 and Sept. 30. Employers and employees usually discuss when the employee will take leave and schedule it by agreement. If they cannot agree, the employer decides. However, employees generally know when they will take vacation leave not less than two months in advance. All employees receive holiday pay equal to a minimum of 10.2% of their total salary. Those past the age of 60 receive holiday pay equal to 12.5% of their salary. Holiday pay is often paid in June.

In Norway, public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day

• Maundy Thursday

• Good Friday

• Easter Monday

• Labor Day

• Constitution Day

• Ascension Day

• Whit Monday

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day

Norway has national healthcare.

Employers must have a reason or terminating an employment contract in Norway, such as breach of the employment contract or layoffs. The notice period normally begins on the first day of the month following the month in which notice is given.

An employee must submit a resignation in writing. As with terminations by the employer, the notice period is based on age and length of service, except that the notice period for resignation is never longer than three months.