Investigating the regulation of working time

In a digital work-life, the boundaries between work and private life become blurred. How do current law regulates the balance between work and leisure time? This is the main research question in a new doctoral project.

Silje Hagen Sofien aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the concept of working time for all job categories in Norwegian law. The analyses will clarify and explain the current law, as well as highlight whether there is a need for an explicit right to disconnect from work outside working hours and form the basis for an evaluation of the current regulations.

In her project, Sofienlund will analyze Norwegian labor law, including the impact of EU/EEA law. She will also carry out comparative analyses of selected countries’ regulations on the right to disconnect, and examine ongoing discussions in the EU about the right to disconnect and the potential impact of a directive.

The doctoral project is part of LaW-BALANCE, a large research project that aims to provide a better understanding of the legal framework that regulates modern working life. LaW-BALANCE is led by associate professor Melanie Hack, who will also be Sofienlund's main supervisor.

Sofienlund holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Bergen, specializing in labor law. She has previously worked as an advisor at the Norwegian Competition Authority.