Working hours in Norway

Working hours and overtime rules in Norway

Norwegian law sets clear rules regarding working hours, overtime, breaks, and employer obligations. The Working Environment Act regulates these provisions to ensure employees' health and safety.

Standard working shifts run from 8 or 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. with an unpaid 30-minute break. The standard workweek is either 37.5 or 40 hours.

Maximum working hours

The maximum regular working hours are capped at 40 hours per week or 9 hours per day. Hours beyond these thresholds qualify as overtime.

Employers and employees cannot opt out of these limits. Exceptions with "average" arrangements are allowed through written agreement, provided certain conditions are met.

• No more than 40 hours per week on average over up to 52 weeks
• Maximum 10 hours worked within 24 hours
• Maximum 48 hours over any seven-day period (averaged over eight weeks, with no more than 50 hours in any single week)

Overtime regulations

Overtime is any work exceeding 40 hours per week. The law restricts total overtime to 200 hours per year for each employee.

• Overtime pay is at least 140 percent of the regular hourly wage
• The overtime supplement must always be paid, even if overtime is compensated with time off
• Agreements for "time off in lieu" require written consent

Break and rest requirements

Employees are entitled to rest breaks and minimum rest periods to safeguard health and well-being.

• 30-minute break required if working more than 8 hours
• At least 11 hours of continuous rest daily
• Minimum 35 consecutive hours of weekly rest

Night and Sunday work

Night work covers hours between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. It is prohibited unless justified by the nature of the work. During night shifts, work must not exceed 8 hours within any 24-hour period.

Work on Sundays is also not allowed unless necessary for the job’s function.

Time tracking and employer obligations

Employers are required to keep accurate records of each employee’s working hours. This record serves as proof of compliance and must be available for inspection by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.

• Manual or electronic timesheets are accepted
• Records should indicate all hours worked, including overtime

Failure to comply with working hour rules can result in fines. The amount depends on factors such as business size and the severity of the breach.

FAQs

What are the normal working hours in Norway?

Normal working hours in Norway are usually either 37.5 or 40 hours per week, commonly scheduled between 8 or 9 a.m. and 4 or 5 p.m., with an unpaid lunch break.

How is overtime pay calculated in Norway?

Overtime must be compensated at a rate of at least 140 percent of the employee’s regular hourly wage. The 40 percent supplement must be paid, even if time off is given instead of pay.

Is Sunday work allowed in Norway?

Sunday work is generally prohibited unless the job’s nature makes it unavoidable. Exceptions apply for professions where work on Sundays is essential.

How many overtime hours can an employee work each year?

An employee in Norway may not work more than 200 hours of overtime per calendar year as per statutory limits set by employment laws.

What records do employers need to keep regarding working hours?

Employers must maintain accurate records of each employee’s working hours, including all overtime and breaks. These records must be available for inspection by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.