Norway: Pay and benefits

Original author: Kjerstin Falkum Løvik, Arntzen de Besche
Updating author: Nina Thjømøe, Littler Norway

See the legal services provided by the updating author of International > Norway, including any discounts/offers for subscribers.

Summary

• Employers must compensate employees for work performed, and employment contracts must set out the "factors of major significance for the employment relationship". (See Pay - general)
• Unless otherwise agreed, wages must be paid at least twice a month, and employees must receive a written statement containing specified information. (See Payment of wages)
• Save for certain exceptions, such as deductions authorised by law, employers must not make deductions from employees' pay. (See Deductions)
• Women and men working in the same organisation must receive equal pay for the same work or work of equal value, and pay must be set in the same way for women and men regardless of sex. (See Equal pay)
• There is no statutory national minimum wage, although in some industries, minimum wage rates are determined at sector level by collective agreements. (See National minimum wage)
• The pensions system consists of the basic old-age pension; occupational and "early retirement" pension schemes; and individual private pensions insurance. (See Pensions)
• Employers are obliged to deduct income tax and employee national insurance contributions due from employees' pay and pass them on to the tax authorities. (See Income tax and social security)
• Employees who have been in employment for at least four weeks are entitled to sickness benefit if they are absent from work because of illness. (See Sick pay)
• Employees may be provided with benefits in kind that are non-monetary perks or advantages in addition to their regular salaries. (See Benefits in kind)