Iceland

Employment Contracts

Collective bargaining agreements are very widely used in Iceland and set many of the terms for most workers’ employment. In most circumstances, a written contract or terms of the employment must be provided in writing. The terms must include the:

• Identities of the parties
• Place of work
• Nature of the employee’s job
• Date the employee will begin work
• Duration of the contract (if it is for a fixed term)
• Information about paid leaves
• Notice period in the event of termination
• Employee’s pay
• Normal working hours for the workweek

The contract or written statement must also state what pension fund the employee will be affiliated with and identify any applicable collective bargaining agreement and trade union.

Public Holidays

The following public holidays are observed in Iceland:

• New Year’s Day
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• First Day of Summer
• Labor Day
• Ascension Day
• Whit Monday
• Icelandic Republic Day
• Commerce Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
• New Year’s Eve

Compensation

Bonuses are commonly included within employees’ compensation packages and may be set as part of a collective bargaining agreement. If a bonus is included as part of an employee’s compensation, it will typically be paid as a lump sum in December.

Working Hours

The standard workweek in Iceland is 40 hours. Most employees work eight hours per day and five days per week. Employees may not work more than 48 hours on average over a four month period. Employees who work in excess of normal hours are entitled to extra pay or compensatory time off instead.

Vacation Leave

Employees receive at least 24 days of paid annual leave but may be entitled to more under a collective agreement. It is common for employees to take their vacation leave during the “holiday period” between May 2, and September 15.

Employees also receive a holiday allowance, usually paid either at the beginning of the vacation or monthly. The holiday allowance is paid into a separate bank account.

Sick Leave

Employees receive two sick days per month during the first year of employment. Collective bargaining agreements may provide for additional sick leave, and employees often become entitled to more sick leave as they work for an employer for longer periods of time. The employee must notify the employer of illness as soon as possible and provide a doctor’s note if asked. Under many collective bargaining agreements, employees are also entitled to paid sick leave to care for children under 13 who are ill. Employees who are left without income due to illness may be entitled to social security payments.

Maternity / Paternity Leave

Male and female employees each receive five months of leave after the birth or adoption of a child. They also receive two additional joint months which can be divided between them or, if they so choose, taken by only one parent. The leave must be used by the time the child is 18 months old.

Employees also take up to 13 weeks of unpaid parental leave to care for a child aged eight or younger.

Employment Termination/Severance

Terminations must be in writing and are effective at the beginning of the month following the month of termination. The notice period generally is between one and three months, but longer notice periods may be provided as part of a collective agreement. Severance is not required but may be provided per agreement.

Health Insurance Benefits

Iceland has a national healthcare system, which is available to all citizens and legal residents who have resided in the country for six months. Virtually all medical care is provided through the national system, but there are a few private providers.