The HRH commercial and services employers' association has called on the government to allow greater flexibility in working time in response to the impact of widespread flu infection across Norway.
The association claims that a flu epidemic could double the number of workers off sick and that employers need to be able to change shift arrangements at short notice.
By contrast, the Fagforbundet municipal union has rejected this claim, arguing that there is enough flexibility in the current working time rules that allow for shift changes and overtime. The YS civil service union has also expressed surprise that HRH has raised the issue this way, rather than as part of the normal process of negotiation.
Norway - Union rejects any calls for pay cuts among care workers at www.epsu.org
Ansatte må bli mer fleksible at www.nrk.no