Clarification regarding "unpaid leave" in the case of care allowance

Finally, a clear information letter from the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority regarding the absolute right to absence from work when you have a sick child and clarification regarding absence while receiving care allowance is in place on their website. We have been waiting for this and looking forward to it being in place!

The lion mothers have worked for a long time to ensure that the rights of parents who receive care allowance are safeguarded.

Parts of this work have dealt with parents who are told by employers to apply for so-called unpaid leave and ambiguities around this term and what this leave entails in terms of conditions.

The lion mothers have been in meetings with NAV and the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority about the problems surrounding applying for unpaid leave and the risk factors this may entail if employers interpret the legislation incorrectly. We have been concerned that if the need for childcare allowance were to cease before the unpaid leave period applied for, parents would risk being left without income protection while waiting to return to work, as normal unpaid leave does not give the employee the right to return before the leave period has expired. We have been keen to communicate this to NAV and the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority, so that they can ensure that employers are given the correct information and guidance on this matter.

Until now, the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority has not had its own information pages about care allowance, but now it is finally in place.

The Løvemammaene have provided input on information needs and in the design of the information page, and we are very happy to see that the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority clarifies the absolute right to be away from work in the event of a child's illness and when applying for/receiving care allowance.

The legislation is clear. Even during the waiting period while applying for care allowance, you have the right to be away from work. And unpaid leave in connection with a child's illness entails the right to return to work when the need for care ceases. These are very important clarifications!

Now we hope that far fewer will experience misunderstandings and conflict with their employer, and can feel secure in their right to be away from work.

Read the entire information letter on the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority's website here:

https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/arbeidsforhold/permisjoner/rett-til-permisjon-ved-barns-og-barnepassers-sykdom/

Read more about care allowance here.