Working time in Serbia is defined as the period of time during which the employee is obliged, i.e. available to perform tasks according to the orders of the employer, at the place where the work is to be performed. It is also possible that the employee and the employer agree that one period of working time within the agreed working hours shall be performed by the employee from home.
What types of employment there are in Serbia?
There are two types of employment in Serbia: full time and part time. The standard for full time employment is 40 hours per week, as stipulated by Labour Law. Employer can determine by General Act that full time work is shorter than 40 hours, but not shorter than 36 hours per week. Employee that works shorter than 40 hours per week still has all employments right as if he is working 40 hours per week.
On the other side, part time employment is referred as working shorter than stated 40 hours, or in mentioned situations 36 hours, per week.
Additionally, employee who works in particularly difficult, arduous and unhealthy jobs, that are determined by Law or General Act, on which despite the implementation of appropriate safety and health measures, personal protective equipment and or other equipment has an increased adverse effect on health of the employee – shortening of working time is proportional to the adverse effect of working conditions on the health and working capacity of the employee, and up to a maximum of 10 hours per week (jobs with increased risk).
Working time schedule and redistribution of working hours
As a rule, a working week lasts five working days, where one working day last for 8 hours. The employer with whom the work is performed in shifts, at night or when the nature of the work and the organization of work requires it – can organize the working week and working hours in another way.
The employer may redistribute working hours when required by the nature of the business, the organization of work, better use of means of work, the more rational use of working time and the execution of certain work within the set deadlines. It is important to know that redistribution of working time is not considered as overtime.
Night work and work in shifts
Work performed between 10 pm and 6 am the following day is considered night work. For an employee who works at night for at least three hours each working day or one third full-time during one working week, employer shall be obliged to ensure that work is carried out during the day if, in the opinion of the competent health authority, such work would lead to a deterioration of his health condition.
Shift work is the organization of work with an employer according to which employees in the same jobs are shifted according to a fixed schedule, whereby shift shifts can be continuous or intermittent for a specified period of days or weeks.
All of this is stipulated by Labour Contract between employer and employee. That is why you should make sure that you do everything in accordance with Labour Law, and check with legal consultant all aspects of Contract with employees.
