Working from home or having a home office has become a central part of working life, especially after the pandemic. Many now combine office days with working from a home office. On this page, you will find all information regarding what applies to home offices, including rules and guidelines for working from home.

The Home Office Regulations

The Home Office Regulations regulate work performed in the employee's home. They were first introduced in 2002, but underwent significant changes that came into effect on July 1, 2022, to reflect today's working life.

What does the new regulation mean?

The updated regulation sets clearer requirements for employers regarding:

• Work environment and equipment: The employer is responsible for ensuring that the home office meets work environment requirements.
• Working hours: Regulation of working hours and boundaries between work and leisure.
• Insurance: Clarification of employees' rights in the event of work-related accidents at home.

For more information, see the official regulation on Lovdata.

NTL's work on home offices

NTL has been a clear voice in the work to improve the Home Office Regulations. The union works to ensure that:

• The employer's responsibility is further specified.
• Home offices are not used as a cost-saving solution at the employee's expense.
• Employees have fair working conditions both at home and in the office.

– Current practice must not become a large, irresponsible experiment. We need clear frameworks that ensure employees' rights, states union secretary Guro Vadstein.

Read more:

• NTL's response to the proposal for new regulations
• NTL's consultation response (PDF)

Employer's responsibility in the home office

The employer has the same responsibility to ensure a sound work environment in the home office as in the office. This includes:

• Facilitation of ergonomic equipment.
• Ensuring good routines for working hours and breaks.
• Insurance for work-related injuries.

Frequently asked questions about home offices

Home office equipment – who covers it? 

The employer is responsible for covering necessary equipment such as an office chair, monitor, and other ergonomic equipment to ensure a sound work environment.

Occupational injury insurance – what happens if I get injured while working from home?

You are covered by occupational injury insurance as long as the injury occurs during working hours and is work-related.

Home office agreement – can the employer refuse a home office? 

As a general rule, a home office should be voluntary and agreed upon between the employer and the employee.