Before holiday dates are finalised, the timing must be discussed between the employer and the employee. If no agreement is reached, it is within the employer’s managerial authority to determine when the holiday will be taken.
The employer’s managerial authority is nevertheless limited by the following:
- The right to take holiday during the main holiday period.
- The right to take remaining holiday consecutively.
- Employees aged 60 or over decide for themselves when to take their additional holiday entitlement.
The University of Agder has issued specific guidelines for staff holiday arrangements: guidelines for employee holiday arrangements.
Changes to confirmed holiday
If unforeseen events occur that will cause significant operational problems, and it is not possible for the employer to arrange a substitute for the employee, the employer may change holiday dates the employee has already been notified of.
The Holiday Act
The employer's responsibilities are outlined in Section 5 (1), first sentence, of the Norwegian Holiday Act. The employee's obligation to take holidays is specified in Section 5 (1), second sentence.