
Wage deductions in case of incorrect payment? Not quite as simple according to the Supreme Court
Many employment contracts have general provisions that give the employer the right to make a deduction from the employee's salary if incorrect payments are made. The Supreme Court now states that such standard regulations do not normally allow the employer to make a deduction from the employee's salary to correct previous erroneous payments. More specific agreements on the relevant wage deduction must be in place for the employer to be able to make adjustments in this way.

EU Proposes New Legislation to Protect “Digital Labor Platform” Workers from Status Misclassification
On Thursday 9 December, the Commission presented a proposal for a directive with several instruments to ensure that more platform workers have access to workers' rights, social benefits, and minimum wage. The proposed directive could mean that up to 4.1 million new people will be given the status of employees, with better social rights, collective representation, and higher wages.

Medical record snooping was reason for termination
When the lover's ex-wife was admitted to the hospital where the employee worked as a health professional, the employee opened and read the journal of the lover's ex-wife. Today, December 7, 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that this gave the hospital the right to dismiss her.

How to stop the mouth of free-spoken employees?
The use of the internet and social media has given individuals new arenas of expression and the opportunity to spread their message to a large audience. For the employer, it can be both troublesome and harmful when employees use this opportunity to express themselves in a way that does not fit with the company's profile. What do you do with employees who slap their lips or make unpleasant statements in public? In most cases: nothing at all.

Is the Christmas season help in place?
Black Week is coming to an end and the pre-Christmas season has started. For many employers, this means a need for extra staff. We give you what you need to make sure this year's Christmas season helpers are legally employed.

Get started with the statutory gender equality work
The Gender Equality and Discrimination Act requires businesses to work to promote gender equality and prevent discrimination. Public enterprises and private enterprises with more than 50 employees are required to follow a specific working method and to report on the work. Businesses that have not adapted to the rules should start implementing the necessary guidelines and procedures as soon as possible.

This is how the Støre-government's budget proposal affects employers
On 8 November 2021, the Støre-government presented its budget proposal for 2022. The proposal includes changes and extensions of temporary measures that will affect Norwegian employers to varying degrees.

The government will reintroduce collective right to bring an action
On Tuesday 2 November 2021, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs sent out a proposal to reintroduce collective right to bring an action for consultation.

Home office - themes and issues when introducing homework as a permanent scheme
The use of home office has made its wide entry into Norwegian workplaces in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Home office have to a large extent been forced through orders and / or recommendations from the Norwegian authorities. However, many companies have had a positive experience with home office. The employees also appreciate the flexibility that the home office provides. We experience that more companies now, especially after the reopening, are considering or introducing more permanent schemes for home offices. We believe that home offices will be a central part of the new, hybrid working life.

Extension and reintroduction of corona measures for working life
On 20 October 2021, 294 new cases of infection were registered in Norway. Although the infection rate is significantly lower than this spring, covid-19 still creates problems for parents with children in kindergarten and school. There is also still some uncertainty in the labour market. The Government has therefore announced that it will extend the corona measures for working life, as well as reintroduce a measure intended for freelancers and the self-employed.

New red-green government platform - what can it mean for the working life of the future?
Social and working life policy has been a central theme in the election campaign and there has been great tension around the outcome of the government negotiations in this regard. On Wednesday 13 October 2021, we received several clarifications when the new government platform was announced. We summarize the main points in the Hurdal platform that concern working life law. The document in its entirety can be found here.

To strike, or not to strike
Just after the country's theatre and concert stages opened after the corona closure, a strike puts a new wet blanket on cultural joy. Last week, the strike among cultural employees was further escalated, and both the Opera and the country's largest theatres must now cancel major performances. This affects both the audience and fellow artists who are outside the strike. Unmusical, some believe - the only way to safeguard the interests of workers, others believe.

Reopening the workplace - this you should know about the transition to normal working day
At Friday's press conference, the message that many have been waiting for finally came - Norway reopens! For many, this means that everyday work normalizes, and that you can finally go back to the office. But what does the transition to normal working day entail?

Expectations of change with a red-green government
The Fougner Committee presented its recommendation (NOU 2021: 9) on 23 June 2021. Several of the proposals strengthen employees' rights and tighten the requirements for the employer's organization of the company and the workforce. We expect that the new red-green government will be positive to several of the committee's assessments and proposals, and that these assessments and proposals could become a reality during the next four-year period.

Focus on inclusion and diversity provides a competitive advantage for companies
Ensuring an inclusive and diverse work environment is an important task for companies, and this is something we take seriously. Littler Norway is part of Littler, which has long worked actively for diversity and inclusion, both internally and by assisting clients in their work.