Arbeiduren

Arbeiduren is the amount of time a person spends performing work, typically measured in hours per day or per week. In Norwegian contexts it is closely related to arbeidstid and is defined by employment contracts, collective agreements, and national labor law. The standard set of hours serves as a baseline for what constitutes full-time work; hours beyond this baseline are commonly called overtime.

Standard working hours vary by country and sector, but many systems use a 35–40 hour week as the basis for full-time employment. Overtime refers to hours worked beyond the standard and is often subject to higher pay or compensatory time off, although rules differ by jurisdiction and agreement. Regulations commonly address rest and safety: breaks during shifts and minimum daily or weekly rest, with some systems permitting averaging of hours over several months.

Work patterns can affect arbeiduren, including flextime, compressed workweeks, shift work, and telework. In many industries, time tracking or timesheets record arbeiduren for payroll, project accounting, and compliance. Some workers, such as professionals in services, also track billable hours.

The concept is linked to health and work-life balance; long or irregular hours can contribute to fatigue and lower productivity. Policymakers and employers use rules on maximum hours, breaks, and rest periods to protect well-being while enabling productive work.