Shift work?

For work outside regular daytime working hours you get paid either overtime  pay or shift premiums. Shift premiums are significantly lower than overtime pay and therefore there are conditions set for when the payment of shift premiums is permitted.

The provisions for shift work may vary according to collective agreements
-union contracts.

The following is shared:
•The shift schedule must be presented with specific advance notice. This differs depending on the collective agreement-union contract.
• Shifts have a fixed beginning and a fixed end – it is not permitted to send people home from a shift and in that way save on wage expenses. A shift must always be paid in full.
• All work that is performed in excess of a determined end of shift must be paid as overtime work.
• All those who do shift work are entitled to winter holiday.
• All work in excess of 173 hours per month must be paid as overtime.

The most common violations of the provisions of collective agreements-union contracts:
• Shift schedules made without adequate advance notice.
• The shift schedule is presented far too late.
• The shift schedule is changed arbitrarily – even daily.
• Shifts start and end at different times.

If the employer does not meet the requirements for shift work an overtime pay rate must be
paid – this pay rate is 80% while shift premiums are 30% – 55%. (Differs according to collective
agreement-union contract and the time within each 24 hour period).

Provisions regarding shift work are different according to which collective agreement-union
contract is used. Therefore it is important to examine the relevant collective agreement-union
contract in order to see which rules apply.

The principal collective agreements-union contracts of the members of AFL
- Collective agreement between SGS and SA
- Collective agreement between SGS and SA for restaurants, places of accommodation, service providers, entertainment companies and corresponding activities
- Collective agreement between SGS and the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities
- Collective agreement between SGS and the Minister of Finance on behalf of the Treasury
(In addition there are several other agreements with smaller entities – see further details
on the association website)  www.asa.is

AFL Labour Union | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Tel. 470 0300