Norway: New Ruling on the Employer’s Duty to Offer Other Suitable Work in the Case of Dismissal Based on Employee’s Own Circumstances

In the event of a violation of the working environment regulations, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority can impose fines on employers. Previously, the maximum limit for these fines was 15 times the National Insurance Basic Amount (G) (15G = NOK 1,860,420 / approx. €158,000). Since 1 July 2024, the maximum limit has been increased to 50 times the National Insurance Basic Amount (50G = NOK 6 201 400 / approx. €527,000) or four percent of the company’s annual turnover, whichever amount is higher.

Previously, it was possible that the benefit of a violation could exceed the maximum fine, for example, in cases of breaches of working time regulations. The maximum fine was increased to ensure that violating the working environment regulations does not pay off (i.e., to prevent the benefits from exceeding the fines) and to strengthen the fight against labour market crimes.