Working time and rest time; changing and ending an employment contract

Working time is the time in which the employee performs a work duty. The general norm does not exceed 40 hours a week. For minors it is shortened: up to 36 hours a week for those aged 16 to 18 and up to 24 hours for those working under 16. Minors are not involved in night work, overtime or work on days off. Overtime for adults is allowed only in cases set by law and with limits, and is paid at an increased rate. Rest time includes breaks during the working day, daily and weekly rest, public holidays and leave. Under the new Labour Code basic annual leave is at least 21 calendar days, and employees under 18 get extended leave. The terms of the contract may be changed only by agreement of the parties. The contract ends by agreement of the parties, expiry of its term, the employee’s own application or lawful grounds of the employer (for example, liquidation of the organisation, the employee’s qualification being unsuitable, a gross breach); the employer cannot dismiss without a stated ground and must warn the employee in advance. There are additional limits on dismissing minors. On dismissal the employee is paid in full and documents are returned.