Maria Brandtzæg

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) has clarified that there will be an in-creased focus on systematic HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) management and the safeguarding of wage and working conditions in the coming years. This means that all businesses should expect more frequent inspections, additional guidance measures, and stricter sanctions for regulation breaches.

The Norwegian government has introduced a series of legislative proposals aimed at strengthening workers' rights in both the public and private sectors.

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court's Appeals Committee has ruled that plaintiffs cannot employ seizure (arrest) to secure anticipated legal costs in civil disputes. Despite the likelihood of a favorable outcome for the plaintiff, the Committee emphasized that legal costs cannot be determined or awarded until the case is resolved. In a 2-1 decision, the Supreme Court rejected the use of seizure as a tool to safeguard potential future claims for legal costs, citing both procedural and legal limitations.

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court has established that employees taking breaks from work at their home office are not covered by the national insurance occupational injury coverage. The judgment provides important clarifications on when employees are covered by occupational injury insurance and is of central importance for anyone working fully or partially from a home office.

On June 26, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a judgment that provides guidance on when an employer is obligated to offer other suitable work upon dismissal related to circumstances on the employee's side.

Following the Supreme Court's decision in November 2023 that ByWe had lost the right to claim dismissal due to agreed arbitration, the main hearing in IdHair Company A/S's lawsuit against ByWe took place in January 2024. Søndre Østfold District Court has, in its judgment of January 25, 2024, ruled in favor of IdHair, and ByWe is ordered to pay compensation and legal costs totaling 12 million Norwegian kroner.

As the number business enterprises in Norway have chosen to organize themselves into corporations or corporation-like structures increases, it became necessary to amend employment guidelines in the Working Environment Act.

With the expansion of digitalisation, large and small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to security breaches and the threat of data attacks, as well as the misuse of personal data.

The last decades, there has been a societal and technological development that has contributed to creating great flexibility in everyday working life. It has become increasingly common to use a home office, and many have a working day where they combine work from their private home with their permanent workplace. With the increased use of home offices, it is important that employers familiarize themselves with the rules that apply to home working.

We are now entering the most common period for summer vacation and payment of holiday pay. Questions often arise about determining vacation and what payments the employer should take into account when calculating the basis for holiday pay.