Changes in Labour Code from 1.8.2013

On 1.8.2013 amendment to the Labour Code (Act No. 155/2013 Coll.) which concerns to the employment in employment relationship for definite period and the length of continuous rest between two shifts shall become effective.

The amendment allows concluding the employment relationship for definite period beyond the rules contained in Sec. 39 Subs. 2 of the Labour Code. There must be a condition of serious operational reasons on the part of the employer or reasons consisting in the special nature of the work, under which the employer cannot be reasonably required to propose to the employee establishment of the employment relationship for indefinite period. Such a different procedure of the employer must be adequate to these reasons and must be regulated by written agreement with trade union or by internal regulation if there is no trade union at the employer. The amendment shortens the minimal duration of continuous rest between two shifts from 12 to 11 hours. The employer will be newly obliged to distribute the working hours so that the duration of continuous rest between the end of one shift and the beginning of the next shift will be at least 11 hours. In case of employees under 18 years of age the period of 12 hours of continuous rest remains.