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Working time in Ukraine is the period during which an employee performs their job duties and remains at the disposal of the employer. The labour law of Ukraine provides for certain limits on the number of working hours per week, including overtime. In this article, we explore the key legal aspects of working hours that employers in Ukraine need to consider.
According to Article 50 of the Labour Code of Ukraine, the standard working week for employees must not exceed 40 hours. When it comes to overtime, the law is equally clear: employees may work no more than 4 extra hours over two consecutive days. The total annual limit for overtime is 120 hours, as outlined in Article 65 of the Labour Code of Ukraine.
Article 51 of the Labour Code of Ukraine defines the categories of employees for whom reduced working time is mandatory, including minors, employees working under harmful conditions, and certain professional groups. Additionally, enterprises may establish reduced working hours at their own expense for employees with children or those facing difficult life circumstances. In such cases, the employee retains the same salary as for full-time work.
As of July 19, 2022, changes introduced by Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine №2136 allow for extended working hours during martial law. Specifically, employees involved in critical infrastructure sectors (defence or essential public services) may have their working hours increased to up to 60 hours per week. This provision does not apply to minors.
For employees in critical infrastructure who are legally entitled to reduced working hours, the maximum remains at 40 hours per week, even during martial law.
During martial law, public holidays and weekends are no longer automatically considered time off under the Labour Code, and the employer is not obligated to adjust the work schedule accordingly.
That said, standard labour provisions regarding shortened working days before holidays, as well as the observance or transfer of public holidays and weekends, are suspended. Nevertheless, employers retain the right to designate non-working days that align with public holidays at their own discretion, as specified in internal company regulations.
At the request of the employee due to their significant personal circumstances and at the initiative of the employer, part-time work may be established.
This specifically applies to the following categories of employees:
Such employees are guaranteed to receive permission for a shorter workday or week with proportional changes in wages.
An important separate guarantee for employees called up for military service is that the employer must retain their job and position for the duration of their service.
A flexible working hours arrangement gives employees the opportunity to manage their own start and end times, as well as the length of their working day, within agreed limits. This setup can be introduced either when the employment begins or later and may be established for a specific period or on an ongoing basis.
The flexible working hours regime consists of three key components:
An unfixed working hours arrangement is a form of work organization in which no predetermined schedule is set. Instead, the employee performs tasks only when work is assigned by the employer, as defined in the employment contract. All related terms and conditions must be clearly outlined and mutually agreed upon in the contract.
Regulation of working time in Ukraine covers both standard and non-standard working conditions, including the specifications of martial law. It is important for employers not only to comply with the current legislation, but also to stay flexible despite constantly changing circumstances.
Proper organization of working hours and compliance with legal requirements is one of the key tasks of the HR team of any business. An outsourcing partner, such as Accace, can provide reliable support in this process. Our HR specialists can help you:
The team at Accace Ukraine provides professional HR outsourcing services, helping businesses minimise the risks of violating labour laws and increasing the efficiency of HR management.
About Accace
Accace is a proactive consultancy and outsourcing partner who bridges the gap between needs and solutions. Combining smart and streamlined technology with a holistic approach, we provide an all-round care to clients and consider their matters as our own. With over 800 experts and approximately 2,000 customers, we have vast experience with facilitating the smooth operation and growth of small to large-scale, global businesses.
About Accace Circle
Accace operates internationally as Accace Circle, a co-created business community of like-minded BPO providers and advisors who deliver outstanding services with elevated customer experience and erase the borders of service delivery. Covering over 60 jurisdictions with more than 7,000 professionals, we support over 80,000 customers, mostly mid-size and international Fortune 500 companies from various sectors, and process at least 800,000 pay slips globally.
