The Søndre Østfold District Court ruled that not giving part-time employees priority for extra shifts constitutes illegal discrimination. The court stated this violates the EU's part-time directive. Part-time employee André Kaldal received over 200,000 kroner in compensation.
Following the ruling, NHO advised its member companies to stop using part-time employees for extra shifts or overtime work, with employer organization Spekter agreeing. The case is being appealed. Parat leader Unn Kristin Olsen called it a violation of the Working Environment Act and gross discrimination, reacting strongly to NHO and Spekter encouraging members to avoid using part-time employees for extra shifts.
The employee organization believes the law is 'crystal clear' that part-time employees have priority before hiring temporary workers. Lawyer Sigurd Øyvind Kambestad alleged that NHO and Spekter are encouraging systematic violations of the law by asking companies to replace employees with temporary workers to save money. ' He raised concerns about future consequences, saying, 'Everyone who has complied with the rules set by the authorities risks having to pay compensation for following the rules.
' Christopher Beckham of Handel og kontor Norge declared, 'The ruling was a historic victory for the country's part-time employees,' emphasizing that companies must first use existing employees. The specific legal arguments for the appeal have not been disclosed, and it is unclear how many companies are following NHO's advice.