Salary
There are no statutory regulations concerning minimum wages. However, wage levels and minimum wages are generally laid down in collective bargaining agreements. For some specific sectors, the salaries laid down in the collective agreements also apply to employers in the sector without the collective agreement. Examples of such sectors are construction, cleaning, shipbuilding and seafood production. The collective agreements are only generally applicable in relation to pay and working conditions. The objective of generally applicable agreements is to prevent lower pay and working conditions for foreign workers, than that which is otherwise common in Norway.
Maximum Working Week
In general, the maximum normal working hours shall not exceed nine hours in twenty-four hours and forty hours in seven days. For certain groups, such as shift workers, the normal working hours shall be less. Upon agreement between the employer and the employee, the maximum normal working hours can be calculated as an average over a maximum of fifty-two weeks, but with a limit of ten ordinary hours of work per twenty-four hours, and forty-eight hours per seven days. Employees also have the right to flexible working hours insofar as this does not cause considerable inconvenience to the employer. However, these rules shall not apply to employees in leading positions or employees in particular independent positions.
Overtime
Overtime is only permitted when there is an exceptional and time-limited need for it. Overtime cannot exceed 10 hours in 7 days, 25 hours in 4 consecutive weeks, and 200 hours during a period of 52 weeks, and the law allows for these limits to be extended. For overtime work, the employee shall receive extra pay in addition to what he receives for corresponding work during ordinary working hours. The extra pay shall be at least 40 percent more than what the employee makes during a regular working hour. These rules shall not apply to employees in leading positions or employees in particular independent positions.
Employer’s Obligation to Provide a Healthy and Safe Workplace
In order for the employer to maintain a healthy and safe workplace, there are several requirements for both the physical working environment and the psychosocial working environment
With regard to the physical working environment factors, such as factors related to buildings and equipment, indoor climate, lighting, noise, radiation and the like, shall be fully satisfactory with regard to the employees’ health, environment, safety and welfare. The workplace shall, among others, be equipped and arranged in such a way as to avoid adverse physical strain on the employees.
When it comes to the psychosocial working environment, the work shall be arranged in a way that ensures the employees’ integrity and dignity. Then employer shall make efforts to arrange the work in a way that enables the employees to have contact and communication with other employees of the undertaking. The employer shall ensure that the employees are not subject to harassment or other improper conduct. Furthermore, the employer shall, as far as possible, protect the employees against violence, threats and undesirable strain as a result of contact with other persons.
Complaint Procedures
If an employee believes that the working environment is in violation of the requirements as prescribed by law, the employee has the right to notify censurable conditions at the undertaking. The Labour Inspection Authority supervises the employer’s obligation to ensure that the employees have the possibility to notify censurable conditions in the undertaking and may review the employer’s assessment on whether it is necessary to carry out such measures. In such cases, the Labour Inspection Authority may consider the allegations and follow up with inspection, orders or report the case to the police if deemed necessary.