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Dismissed, or afraid of being dismissed: your rights at work

dismissal fired dismissed employer job rights working environment act

Translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →

A dismissal must be objectively justified and in writing, and you usually have the right to stay in your job while the case is ongoing. You are protected during the first year of sickness. The deadlines are short: two weeks and eight weeks.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

Many people in contact with NAV because of illness are also worried about their job. Here are the main rules in the Working Environment Act (arbeidsmiljøloven). If you are employed by the state, separate rules apply in the Civil Service Act.

A dismissal must be objectively justified

According to the Working Environment Act § 15-7, you cannot be dismissed unless it is objectively justified by circumstances relating to the business, the employer or you, for example downsizing or serious breaches of the employment contract.

Before the employer decides, the matter must as far as practically possible be discussed with you (§ 15-1). You can bring a union representative.

A dismissal must be in writing

The dismissal must be in writing (§ 15-4). Among other things, it must state the right to demand negotiations and to take legal action, the deadlines, and the right to keep working while the case is ongoing.

Notice period

According to the Labour Inspection Authority, the notice period is one month if you have been employed for less than five years, and two months after five years. After ten years it increases with age, to at least three months. An employment contract or collective agreement can set other periods.

When you are ill

If you are absent because of illness or an accident, you cannot be dismissed for that reason during the first 12 months (§ 15-8). If you are dismissed during that period, it is as a rule assumed to be because of the sickness absence, unless something else is more likely. Pregnancy and parental leave also give protection. Also read sickness benefit.

Do you disagree? The deadlines are short

1. Demand for negotiations: Send a written demand to the employer within two weeks (§ 17-3). The employer must hold the meeting within two weeks of receiving the demand.
2. Legal action: If you want to go to court, the deadline is eight weeks after the negotiations have ended (§ 17-4). If you only claim compensation, the deadline is six months.
3. As a rule, you have the right to stay in your job while the case is ongoing.

The Labour Inspection Authority can only give general guidance. It is the court that decides whether a dismissal is lawful. So get help early, from your trade union or a lawyer. See also free legal aid.

After the dismissal: Register with NAV as soon as you know you are losing your job, and read about unemployment benefit.

Sources

• Labour Inspection Authority. Dismissal (Norwegian)
• Lovdata. Working Environment Act chapters 15 and 17 (Norwegian)

Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.

This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.