What is welfare leave?
Welfare leave (velferdspermisjon) is short leave for events like funerals, moving house, doctor appointments for children, or other significant family matters. Whether it is paid depends on law, collective agreement or company policy.
Typical rules
- Duration: Often 1–3 days per event; check collective agreement or policy.
- Pay: May be paid or unpaid; follow agreement/company rules.
- Documentation: Employer can require proof (e.g., appointment letter, obituary).
- Approval: Manager/HR approval in advance unless emergency.
Payroll and accounting
- If paid: record as normal salary; accrues employer NIC and holiday pay unless policy says otherwise.
- If unpaid: deduct hours/days from salary; ensure correct basis for holiday pay and pension.
- Track separately in payroll system for reporting and statistics.
Best practice
- Define welfare leave policy in the employee handbook or collective agreement.
- Standardise documentation requirements to avoid disputes.
- Keep records for audits and for NAV-related benefits if relevant.
- Communicate clearly so employees know when they can request welfare leave.