The Working Environment Act Chapter 10 and the collective agreements regulate working hours in Norway. Here you will find information about statutory rights, collective agreements and important considerations such as leisure time, social needs and the protection of employees.
Working hours in the Working Environment Act
The Working Environment Act establishes the framework for working hours in Norway. At the same time, the Act allows the parties locally to agree on other working hour arrangements, as long as there is a legal basis in the Act or collective agreements. This requires that all parties are in agreement.
An example is an agreement on averaging of working hours (Working Environment Act § 10-5), which makes it possible to establish shift or roster arrangements.
Framework for working hours
Without special agreements, the following limits apply:
Exemptions from the rest period
The employer and local employee representatives may agree on exemptions from the requirement for 11 hours of rest per 24-hour period and 35 (or 36 for the state) hours of rest per week, cf. Working Environment Act § 10-8 (3). This requires that compensatory rest is provided before the next work period, cf. Working Environment Act § 10-12, fourth paragraph.
It is also possible to agree on a rest period of less than 8 hours in the event of serious operational disruptions. In such cases, NTL expects the term "serious operational disruptions" to be defined in the agreement. For the state, such agreements must be approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (FAD) and the main organization (HS), and by LO for collective agreement areas.
Long working day (over 10 hours)
If there is a need for working days exceeding what is agreed upon in the Main Tariff Agreement (HTA) or collective agreement, a special application must be submitted. The application must be time-limited and contain an agreement between the parties locally. It is the FAD and the HS that decide on such applications.
Averaging
Averaging must be agreed upon between the parties, and it is important to do this when duty rosters are being discussed. Avoid entering into a general agreement on averaging in an overarching working hours agreement.
Working hours in the state
The Main Tariff Agreement (HTA) regulates working hours for the vast majority of state employees. Certain groups, such as pilots in the Norwegian Coastal Administration, employees in the Police and the Armed Forces, may additionally be covered by special laws.
Provisions on working hours do not apply to employees in leading or particularly independent positions, cf. Working Environment Act § 10-12 and the following points in the HTA:
- HTA § 8 point 6: Exemption from working hour provisions for leading positions
- HTA § 13 point 4: Covers working hours for employees in project positions and particularly independent work
- HTA § 15 point 7: Regulation of working hours when combining teaching and research
- HTA § 16 point 3: Applies to working hours for employees in shifts or standby arrangements
Note that there are several main tariff agreements in the state. This page refers to the agreement between the state and LO Stat/YS Stat, which applies to NTL's members.
You can find the entire agreement (period 1 May 2024–30 April 2026) here: Main Tariff Agreement in the state (LO Stat/YS Stat)
Basic working hour rules in the state
- 37.5-hour week
- 7.5-hour working day between 07:00 and 17:00, spread over five days
- At least 11 hours of rest within 24 hours (Working Environment Act § 10-8)
- At least 36 hours of continuous rest within seven days
Definitions
- Day: 06:00–20:00
- Night: 20:00–06:00
- Twilight: 06:00–07:00 and 17:00–20:00
For shift work
- Night hours count as 1 hour and 15 minutes (1.25)
- Sunday hours count as 1 hour and 10 minutes (1.17)
- For work at night, on Sundays and public holidays, the working time is 35.5 hours per week (HTA § 7 point 3)
Read more about flexible working hours for employees in the state (HTA § 10 point 4)
Frequently asked questions
When should I agree on what my fixed, daily working hours will be?
The individual's employment contract must contain: The length and placement of the agreed daily and weekly working hours.
Do I have to work overtime?
Overtime shall not be performed unless there is a specific, time-limited need, Working Environment Act § 10-6 (1).
The need for overtime shall be discussed with the organizations. Working Environment Act § 10-6 (3)
The employee may be exempted for health-related or significant social reasons, Working Environment Act § 10-6 (10)
When does the 24-hour calculation start?
The law does not state anything about this, and it must therefore be agreed upon. We have seen that what provides the greatest flexibility in regulating work and leisure time is if it is agreed that the start of the 24-hour period is when the work period starts. Regardless of whether this is ordinary working hours or overtime.
Do I have to work on Sundays and public holidays?
According to Working Environment Act § 10-10, work on Sundays and public holidays is generally not permitted, unless the nature of the work makes it necessary. The need for Sunday and public holiday work shall be discussed with the employee representatives.
According to Working Environment Act § 10-10, the employer and employee representatives may enter into a written agreement (negotiate) regarding work on Sundays and public holidays, if there is a specific and time-limited need.
Do I have to work at night? (20:00–06:00)
According to Working Environment Act § 10-11, night work is not permitted, unless the nature of the work makes it necessary. The need for night work shall be discussed with the employee representatives. According to Working Environment Act § 10-11, the employer and the employee representatives may enter into a written agreement regarding night work.
Do I have to be available to the employer when I am not at work?
Working Environment Act § 10-4 allows for the use of standby duty outside the workplace. As a general rule, at least 1/5 of the duty shall be counted as ordinary working hours. The need for standby duty shall be discussed with the employee representatives. If standby duty is to be performed during the rest period, this must be agreed upon. A work plan must be drawn up showing standby duty and time off.
Can the employer refuse me to work up flexitime?
No. However, the employer can verify that you have work tasks that can be performed during that period.
Can the employer order me to work on flexitime?
No. All work ordered beyond your fixed working hours shall be compensated with overtime.
Who is responsible for ensuring I get the opportunity to take time off in lieu of flexitime?
Both parties. We must raise the issue with the employer, and arrangements must be made for taking time off in lieu of flexitime.
What should I do when I "lose" many hours of flexitime every year?
Raise the issue with your employer, preferably together with your employee representative – you should together review the workload and assess whether you have too many work tasks.
