Feriepenger is a type of extra pay or financial benefit that employees receive to financially support them during their leave. In some countries, such as Norway and Sweden, feriepenger are common practice.
This is a percentage of your annual salary
Holiday pay is paid as a percentage of the employee's wages for a specified period of time. They are usually a percentage of your annual salary or based on hours worked. These funds are collected by the employer in a special feriepenger account and then paid out to the employee at a specified date, usually before the start of the holiday period.
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Feriepenger are designed to provide employees with financial stability during their leave, when they do not receive remuneration for work. They help cover the cost of living and recreation during this period. In some cases, this remuneration can be paid in installments, but most often employees receive holidays as a one-off payment.
Questions about holidays
The Norwegian Labor Inspectorate has posted some frequently asked questions about holiday pay on its website.
If you can't find the answer to your question, you can read about holiday pay here and/ or call, talk or send an e-mail.
When will I receive my holidays?
According to the Holidays Act, holiday pay must be paid on the last regular payment before the holiday, unless otherwise agreed. If the leave is divided, the holiday pay must be divided accordingly. Many companies have an agreement that holiday pay is paid in a specific month, such as June.
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How can I find out how much holiday pay I get?
Holiday pay is calculated on the basis of remuneration for work paid in the year preceding the year in which the holiday takes place. Last year's wages and deductions sheet should show your basic salary for calculating your holiday money.
Holiday money should amount to at least 10,2% of the basis for calculating holiday money. In companies with collective bargaining agreements, the percentage may be higher. For workers over 60 years of age, the percentage rate should be 2,3% higher than the standard rate.
I have a new job from January 1st. We are paid holiday pay in June. Now the employer claims that I will receive neither salary nor holiday pay in June. Is this correct?
Yes it's true. Vacation is unpaid time off. This is holiday money earned last year to cover any loss of pay that occurs while you are taking holiday leave.
In this case, it's holiday money you earned with your previous employer that covers the loss of pay when you take holiday leave this year. You could either have received this money after you finished working for your previous employer, or you will receive it now, in June, from your previous employer. If you were not employed last year, you are still entitled to take holiday leave, but of course you are not entitled to holiday money.
I was on sick leave for most of last year. Does this affect my right to holiday pay?
The employer is obliged to pay sickness benefits for the first 16 days of sick leave. Holiday money is also calculated for this period. After the employer period, NAV pays holiday pay for a maximum of 48 days of sick leave each calendar year.
In cases where an employer pays wages in advance on sick leave, whether to pay out sick leave money depends on specific contracts or collective bargaining agreements.
I was a student for part of last year and did not receive my full holiday pay. Do I have to cancel the entire holiday?
No, the Holidays Act allows an employee to waive their holiday entitlement if the holiday pay does not cover the loss of pay during the holiday.
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Source: Norwegian Labor Inspectorate, pixabay
