02 Employment Rights

Learn more about the Working Environment Act that employers abide by.

Image of a woman in bathing suit exiting the water and into a sauna

Flyt Fjordsauna in Jevnaker

Photo: Hans Haug/Visit Øst Norge

Norwegian employers are obliged by law to follow the rules of the The Working Environment Act. It covers rules on working hours, work environment, leave of absence, termination, disputes, and discrimination.

A full-time employment contract is typically for 37.5 working hours per week, divided by 8 hours a day, including a 30-minute break. As a general rule, you are entitled to 25 days (five weeks) paid vacation after 12 months of employment. Before 12 months employment, you are entitled to take out the same amount of vacation days without pay.

Contract termination requires a notice period of 3 months.

The pension system in Norway consists of a minimum pension level guaranteed by The Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). See Health and Services for more information, plus other entitlements based on whether you work in the private or public sector. Most employees automatically contribute 2% of their salaries to a pension scheme, and their employer adds to this (up to 7%).

For more information on sick leave and maternity leave, see Health & Services.

Intro: Getting Settled

02 Employment Rights

Learn more about the Working Environment Act that employers abide by.