– En av de vanskeligste sakene vi har hatt

En av de vanskeligste sakene det landet har håndtet i noen år, er how to fairly compensate part-time employees for overtime work, according to Norwegian Labour and Welfare Affairs Minister Kjersti Stenseng. The task, entrusted to her, aims to find solutions regarding overtime pay for part-time workers. However, the gap between employers and employees has been significant throughout the process.

Multiple EU rulings in 2023 and 2024 have emphasized that part-time workers should receive overtime pay for hours worked beyond their agreed-upon work percentage.

The Norwegian government has established a working group to examine how to amend the country's regulations on compensation for overtime work. The group is set to present its findings on September 15th. While some stakeholders oppose the changes, Stenseng acknowledges the complexity of the matter and emphasizes the need for a balanced approach. Both employers, who fear increased costs, and employees, who argue for better working conditions, have valid points.

In a recent development, a Coop Bygg employee and a Sykehuset innlandet employee have both won their cases in the first instance and are now appealing to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's rulings in these cases have set a precedent and are likely to influence the outcome of the ongoing case. If the group fails to propose a common solution, the minister is prepared to take responsibility for finding one.