Stillestillinger

Stillestillinger is a Norwegian term for a temporary cessation of work or production in a workplace or industry. The word combines stillestille, meaning to stop or pause, with the noun form stillestilling, referring to a period of non-performance. The concept can cover both employer-initiated and employee-initiated stoppages and is used in everyday language, media, and discussions about labor relations.

The scope of a stillestilling can vary. It may represent a planned or temporary layoff (permittering) due to economic reasons or a more disruptive stoppage tied to a dispute or safety concerns. It is often described as a broader, less formal form of work stoppage that may occur alongside or as part of negotiations, rather than as a formally regulated strike or lockout.

Stillestillinger differ from formal strikes (streik) and employer lockouts. Strikes are organized actions by workers under a collective agreement and specific procedures, while a lockout is initiated by the employer. Stillestillinger can be shorter and less formally regulated, and the rules about pay during such stoppages depend on collective agreements, national legislation, and the terms of employment contracts. The duration can range from a few days to several weeks, and in some cases wages or benefits may be reduced or suspended in accordance with applicable agreements.

Common contexts for stillestillinger include manufacturing, energy, transportation, and public services, where disruptions can propagate beyond a single company. The term is primarily descriptive and its exact legal implications are determined by the surrounding labor law, contracts, and industrial relations practices in each sector.