The rules on working hours are in chapter 10 of the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljøloven). Here are the main rules. Collective agreements and special arrangements can give other limits. Always check what applies in your business.
Normal working hours (section 10-4)
- Normal working hours must not be more than 9 hours per 24 hours and 40 hours per 7 days.
- For shift and rota work, and work that mainly takes place at night, the weekly limit is lower: 38 or 36 hours.
- If employees work at different times of the day, a work schedule must be made that shows each person's working hours (section 10-3).
Overtime (section 10-6)
Work beyond the agreed working hours is allowed only when there is a special and time-limited need. Whatever goes beyond the law's limit for normal working hours is overtime. You should, if possible, discuss the need with the employee representatives first. The limits are:
- Main rule: 10 hours per 7 days, 25 hours per 4 weeks and 200 hours per 52 weeks.
- With a collective agreement, the employer and the employee representatives can agree in writing up to 20 hours per 7 days, 50 hours per 4 weeks and 300 hours per 52 weeks.
- The Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) can, on application in special cases, allow more.
Overtime beyond the main limit can only be ordered for employees who have said they are willing. An employee can ask to be excused from overtime for health reasons or important social reasons.
Total working hours, including overtime, must not be more than 13 hours per 24 hours and 48 hours per 7 days. The 48-hour limit can be calculated as an average over 8 weeks. In businesses bound by a collective agreement, the employer and the employee representatives can agree in writing on up to 16 hours per 24 hours (section 10-6, ninth paragraph).
The overtime supplement must be at least 40 per cent of the pay for the same work in normal working hours. The parties cannot agree a lower supplement. The employer and the employee can agree in writing that overtime hours are taken as time off. The supplement must still be paid.
Rest (section 10-8)
- At least 11 hours of continuous time off in every 24-hour period.
- At least 35 hours of continuous time off per 7 days. The time off should, as far as possible, include Sunday.
- In businesses with a collective agreement, the parties can agree in writing on shorter rest, but as a main rule not under 8 hours per 24 hours or 28 hours per week, and the employees must receive compensatory rest.
Breaks (section 10-9)
Employees must have a break when the working day is longer than 5.5 hours. If the working day is 8 hours or more, the break must be at least 30 minutes in total.
Sunday and public holiday work (section 10-10)
Work on Sundays and public holidays is not allowed, unless the nature of the work makes it necessary. You must discuss the need with the employee representatives before you order such work. Weekend and public holiday work can give a right to a supplement under a collective agreement or the employment contract.
Night work (section 10-11)
Night work is work between 9 pm and 6 am. It is only allowed if the nature of the work makes it necessary. You must discuss the need with the employee representatives. For employees who regularly work more than three hours at night, normal working hours must on average not be more than 8 hours per 24 hours. Employees who mainly work at night must be offered a health check.
Who do the rules apply to?
The main rules apply to the great majority of employees. The law has separate rules for managerial positions and particularly independent positions, which are exempt from parts of chapter 10. The exemption is narrow, and it is the employer who must be able to show that the conditions are met. An exemption does not mean you can ignore the health of people who work a lot.
Records and checks
The employer must keep an overview of how much each employee works (section 10-7). The Labour Inspection Authority supervises working hours, and breaches of the rules can lead to orders and fines. So keep track of timesheets, overtime and rest.
Remember
- 9 hours per 24 hours and 40 hours per week are normal working hours.
- Overtime only for a special and time-limited need, with a supplement of at least 40 per cent.
- 11 hours of rest per 24 hours and 35 hours per week.
- Night is 9 pm to 6 am.