This is an editorial comment.
Now you are to be forced back to work even if your body is failing. But when the politicians themselves are caught with their pants down – in shoplifting or leadership struggles – then sick leave suddenly becomes a golden emergency exit with full pay.
While the government, led by Jan Christian Vestre (Labour), now announces stricter measures to reduce sick leave, and demands that ordinary working people must accept “adapted work” rather than staying home, we see a completely different set of rules playing out in the corridors of power.
For most people, sick leave is a protection against illness. For the political elite, it seems to have become a protection against consequences.
You Will Be Forced, They Will Be Rested
The signal from the Minister of Labour is crystal clear: Do you have a bad back? Find other tasks. Are you burned out? Work reduced hours. You shall not escape working life so easily.
But what happens when top politicians face headwinds? When they are caught shoplifting at Gardermoen, or when the party is tearing apart under the weight of whistleblowing cases regarding their own leadership? Are they reassigned to archive duty? Do they have to show up at work to sort mail while the storm rages?
No. They pull the “sick leave card.”
Sunglasses, Scandals, and Stress
It has almost become a fixed procedure. The moment the press and the police knock on the door, the politicians become acutely ill. Not from viruses or broken bones, but from the “strain.”
Let us look at the glaring contrast:
| Name | Situation | Reaction | Likely consequence for ordinary people |
| Bjørnar Moxnes (R) | Caught stealing sunglasses. | Sick leave. Full pay. | Instant dismissal. No sick pay. |
| Olaug Bollestad (KrF) | Massive internal rebellion and whistleblowing cases regarding leadership conduct. | Sick leave. Full pay. | Meeting with HR, termination, or reassignment. |
| Trond Giske (Ap) | The #MeToo wave and accusations of sexual harassment. | Sick leave. Full pay. | Suspension and investigation without pay, or dismissal. |
| Sissel K. Hegdal (H) | Misuse of party funds for private purchases. | Sick leave. Full pay. | Police case for embezzlement. Instant dismissal. |
Media Storm as a Diagnosis
No one doubts that it is tough to stand in a media storm. It is surely painful to be exposed as a thief or a bad boss. The heart rate probably spikes violently.
But since when did “consequences of one’s own actions” become a valid medical diagnosis qualifying for 100 percent sick pay?
When the government now asks ordinary employees and bosses to “shape up” and be at work more, it rings hollow combined with the practice at the Storting (Parliament). For “Ola and Kari Nordmann” (average Norwegians), there is no sick leave that can save them from the shame or the sack if they steal from the till at the grocery store. They have to face the music.
The Double Standards
It is this asymmetry that makes voters boil. It is not about politicians not being able to get sick. It is about the system appearing rigged.
When you tighten the belt for the people but let the elite use the welfare state as a parachute when they have messed up, you undermine the very trust in the system.
Perhaps the new “activity duty” should apply at Løvebakken too? If you have stolen sunglasses, maybe you cannot lead the party, but surely you can still brew coffee in the cafeteria?
Or is it the case that the “work line” (arbeidslinja) only applies to those who do not pass the laws?