Significant changes to the Labour Code

A significant amendment to the Czech Labour Code came into force on 1October 2023 (whereas particular clauses will come into force only as of 1 January 2024). The amendment is the transposition into national law of:

-          Directive (EU) 2019/1152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union; and

-          Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU.

It brings the following significant changes:

Until recently, home office work was not regulated by Czech law. The lack of regulation has manifested as problematic during the pandemic times when large number of employees transitioned to full time remote work or some other hybrid regime.

The new law obliges the employer to conclude a written contract with employees working from home. The parties can stipulate that the employee is either working during working hours scheduled by the employer or is entitled to freely decide his/her work schedule. In the latter case, the employee does not have a right to wage compensation for certain personal obstacles to work.

The new regulation also introduces a right of the employee to compensation of costs incurred by working from home. The compensation is generally set as either a lump sum or in the amount of proven costs, however the parties are also allowed to agree on the exclusion of such right to compensation.

In addition to regulating working from home, the amendment also aims to improve the conditions of employees working on the basis of agreements on work performed outside standard employment law relationship. These workers shall be newly entitled to paid holidays and overtimes. The amendment also improves conditions for working parents or carers and lays down more favourable rules on rest between work shifts.

Finally, the new law eases the previous strict rules on delivering documents to employees and gives more options to deliver important documentation online.

Should you have any questions regarding this topic, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm.

 

UEPA advokáti s.r.o.

www.uepa.law

For inquiries, please contact Lars Klett LKL@uepa.cz or Lucie Hladěnová LHL@uepa.cz