[author: Ole Kristian Olsby]*

Travel Time is Working Time

Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency

Author: Ole Kristian Olsby, Partner – Homble Olsby advokatfirma

On June 4, 2018, the Supreme Court of Norway concluded that an employee’s travel ordered by the employer is working time. The decision is in accordance with the advisory opinion from the EFTA Court in case E-19/16. The judgement will have broad impact on the Norwegian labor market, raising the level of protection for employees, and will most likely lead to more agreements on working time. New regulations in collective agreements to secure the level of flexibility needed may also come as a result of the decision.

Court May Begin Hearing Cases on Employer Warnings

Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency

Author: Ole Kristian Olsby, Partner – Homble Olsby advokatfirma

The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear an employee’s challenge to the lawfulness of a written warning given by an employer. The common perception has been that warnings are part of the employer’s right of management, and courts would not address them because there are no actual consequences for the employee. This decision now suggests that courts may begin accepting “written warning” cases or, in the least, those cases where the warning created a direct and actual consequence on the employee.

*Partner – Homble Olsby advokatfirma