Norway: the government wants to promote a “graded” return to work after sick leave 

The news. On May 11, the Norwegian Labour government announced “unprecedented measures” to reduce the number of sick leaves and “limit professional inactivity”. They aim to encourage employees to return to work after a long-term illness. The scheme, primarily aimed at general practitioners, supplements an initial series of proposals presented in December 2025 designed to “clarify the obligations of employers and employees”. These notably recommended the implementation of a “graduated” return fr