Arbeidstidsloven

Arbeidstidsloven, or the Norwegian Working Hours Act, is a national statute that regulates the conditions of working time for employees in Norway. The law was first enacted in 1969 and has been amended several times to keep pace with changes in the labour market and European labour directives. It is governed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion and enforced through the Labour Inspection Authority.

The Act sets a normal working week of 40 hours, but allows for a maximum of 48 hours per week over a four‑month period, with provisions for overtime. Overtime must be compensated with extra pay, typically 40% more than the regular hourly rate, or time off in lieu, unless otherwise agreed upon through a collective bargaining agreement. Employees are entitled to a minimum one‑hour break for each period of work exceeding five hours.

Rest periods are strictly regulated: a minimum of 11 hours of rest is required between two consecutive days of work, with an additional 8 hours in addition to the daily rest on a weekly basis. Night shift work is defined as work between 22:00 and 06:00; workers engaged in night work receive a night work supplement, at least 1.5% of their hourly wage, and must be given extra rest days when operating such shifts.

Special categories of workers—such as pregnant employees, minors, and senior workers—receive additional protections regarding maximum daily and weekly hours. The law also introduces concepts of shift quotas and fatigue risk management for high‑risk sectors like transport and healthcare.

Internationally, Arbeidstidsloven aligns with the European Union’s Working Time Directive, which sets standards for maximum weekly working hours, minimum rest periods, and protection for vulnerable workers. Through periodic amendments and implementation guidelines, Norway ensures that the Act remains relevant in a changing work environment.