What are the rules around summer jobs in Norway?

Local Norway

a day ago

For foreigners in Norway, a temporary summer job is a great opportunity to get to a foothold in the labour market at the same time as improving their language skills, and getting a better understanding of the way the country works.
But if you are going to have a safe and rewarding experience as a summer worker in Norway, it it crucial to understand your rights and responsibilities.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority
(Arbeidstilsynet) has compiled answers to the most common questions people have about the rules around summer jobs.
For the underaged
It is legal to take paid work from the age of 13 in Norway, although you are only permitted to do light work such as newspaper delivery or office and shop work.
From 14 years old, you can also participate in work as part of your schooling or vocational education, provided these programs are approved by school authorities.
Teenagers aged 15 or more who have finished secondary school can engage in any work that does not harm their health and safety, such as working in a shop or doing cleaning and maintenance work in parks.
The employer must ensure, however,
that the
work is appropriate and does not involve exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, radiation, or dangerous machinery.
Norwegians under the age of 18 are allowed to have several jobs, but the total working hours cannot exceed 40 hours per week. Norwegians are also not supposed to work after 9pm, although there are a few exceptions. They are banned from working after midnight.
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More jobs, more shifts
If you are over the age of 18, it is legal to work more than nine hours a day and 40 hours a week across multiple employers, unless you work in road transport. There may, however, be clauses in your contract that restrict working for multiple employers simultaneously, so read it carefully to check what is permitted.
The employment contract should also contain information on how much the employee should be paid during the training period, if they are to be paid at all.
In most industries, it is legal to have unpaid or low wage workers who are trainees or getting practical experience for their studies. If you work in an industry with statutory minimum wage, however, even trainees must be paid at least the minimum wage.
It is always worth researching the industry to see what salaries other companies are offering to understand whether the contract you are being offered is fair.
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Shifts during summer
Employers may require you to work beyond the agreed hours to meet unexpected demands. If this happens your overtime payment should include a supplement of at least 40 percent.
However employees are not obliged to accept additional work beyond what is stated in the contract.
There are also rules over when an employer can cancel your shift at late notice. One of the most common summer jobs, for example, is working as a waiter in restaurants with sunny outdoor spaces. If bad weather means no customers, your employer cannot just cancel your shift and not pay you. You are still entitled to be paid for the hours you have agreed to work, even if a shift is canceled due to bad weather.
For on-call workers, agreed shifts are binding, and the employees is required to pay workers even if the work is cancelled for unforeseen reasons.
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Other rights
Another general rule is that employers cannot change scheduled shifts with less than two weeks notice.
Breaks are only deducted from your paid hours if you are able to leave the workplace freely or have access to a proper dining room. Otherwise, the break considered working time and paid.
Both on-call workers and permanent employees are entitled to sickness benefits.