Special protection against redundancy

In certain situations, employees are covered by special redundancy protection. In such cases, redundancy will be considered to be unfair unless the employer is able to document otherwise.


Protection against redundancy in connection with illness

Employees who are either partly or entirely off work because of an accident or illness may not be made redundant during the first 12 months after they became incapacitated, unless it is very clear that a different reason lies behind the redundancy.

Working Environment Act on protection against termination of employment due to sickness (in Norwegian only)

The Labour Inspection Authority on dismissal (in Norwegian only)

Protection against redundancy in connection with pregnancy and following birth or adoption

Employees who are pregnant may not be made redundant for this reason. Termination of employment during pregnancy will be considered to be due to the pregnancy unless compelling grounds indicate otherwise. The same applies to employees who are on pregnancy leave, carer's leave, maternity leave or parental leave for up to one year, or alternatively extended parental leave for up to two years or partial parental leave for up to three years. In the case of lawful termination of employment with a leaving date during parental leave, the period of notice will not commence until the leave is over.

Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud on on pregnancy and dismissal (in Norwegian only)

Working Environment Act on protection against termination of employment due to pregnancy, birth, or adoption (In Norwegian only)

Protection against redundancy in connection with military service

Employees may not be made redundant as a result of obligatory or voluntary military service, or voluntary service for up to two years on international peace operations. Termination of employment immediately before or during such service will be considered to be due to the pregnancy unless compelling grounds indicate otherwise.

Working Environment Act on protection against termination of employment due to military service (in Norwegian only)

Protection against redundancy in connection with the issuing of warnings

You are not permitted to terminate the employment or carry out any other form of retribution against an employee who reports reprehensible circumstances in accordance with the applicable whistle-blowing rules. If an employee presents information which gives reason to believe that he or she has been the victim of retribution, this information will be used as a basis unless the employer substantiates otherwise.

The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority on whistleblowing concerning reprehensible circumstances within an enterprise (in Norwegian only)

The Working Environment Act on protection against retaliation in connection with whistleblowing (in Norwegian only)

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