Vacation

Time off Foto: colorbox.com

Vacation

According to Norwegian vacation law, the employee (100% position) has the right to get 25 days as vacation. Employees over 60 years have the right to an additional 6 days’ vacation.

Employees over age 60 are free to decide when to take their extra vacation days, unless otherwise agreed upon. This extra vacation can be taken as consecutive days or as one or more days at a time.

The employee vacation schedule is jointly decided by the employer and the employee. The employee is entitled to have his/her vacation schedule set as early as possible, and no later than two months prior to the scheduled vacation, unless there are good reasons that might hinder such information-sharing. If no agreement is reached between the employer and employee, the final decision rests with the employer. The employer is also responsible for preparing the vacation schedules and making these known to the employees. The employee has the right for 18 consecutive days during the summer period (1st of June to 30th of September).

The employer and the employee (on 5 days working week) can enter into an agreement regarding transfer of vacation entitlement from one calendar year to the next. A total of 14 days (working days) can be transferred.

Work during the Christmas and Easter holidays

On weekdays between Christmas and New Year's Eve and in the Easter week, regular working hours apply.

On Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and on the Wednesday before Maundy Thursday, the working hours are until 12.00.

Any employee can, regardless of accumulated extra hours and independently of ordinary vacation, be permitted to take either Christmas or New Year's Eve off and, in addition, an entire day between Christmas and New Year's Eve, as long as this does not cause any inconvenience for the department.

Additional time off in connection with Christmas and Easter, must be taken from accumulated vacation or accumulated extra hours.

Religious holidays – time off

For those who are not members of the Norwegian state church, the law entitles them to time off for religious holidays of their own religion.

The employee is entitled for up to two days per year.

It is a condition for the entitlement that the employee notifies the employer within 14 days in advance.

Employers may require that the employee make up for the time off for religious holidays by working at some other time. The employee and employer should reach an agreement on when this should happen. If they do not agree, the employer makes the decision. Please note that the working time used for making up for the time off, will not be regarded as overtime according to the Working Environment Act. This applies even if working hours exceed the limits of normal working hours in the Working Environment Act.

Sick during vacation

Using your vacation time (when you have earned the right for paid vacation) is obligatory according to the Norwegian vacation law. In case of employees sickness there are not always reason for new vacation. The claim comes up only if the employee is 100% incapable for work and the doctor confirms that. When the employee is 50 % incapable for work it does not give him/her the right to claim a new vacation. The doctor’s confirmation with the sick report is needed for the claim. The Employee has the right for childbirth and adoption vacation according to Norwegian law.

Vacation pay

The vacation pay is calculated for the previous year from the vacation. The Employee has also vacation claim during his or her first occupation year, but not for vacation pay. Calculating vacation pay the employee’s gross salary is taken into account (but not travel compensations and duty assignments abroad). Vacation compensation rate is 10,2 % (over 60 year Employees 12,5 %).

At the University of Bergen, the vacation pay is paid in June. Instead of normal salary, you´ll get the vacation pay.