Navigating labor regulations is essential for businesses operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Understanding the rules governing working hours, overtime, and rest periods is crucial for compliance and maintaining fair employment practices. These regulations are designed to protect employees' well-being while providing a clear framework for employers managing their workforce.
Compliance with these working time laws is not just a legal requirement but also contributes to a productive and sustainable work environment. Employers must adhere to specific limits on daily and weekly hours, properly compensate for overtime, and ensure employees receive adequate rest.
Standard Working Hours and Workweek
The standard full-time working hours in Bosnia and Herzegovina are set at 40 hours per week. This is typically structured as an eight-hour workday, five days a week. However, the law allows for flexibility in distributing these hours across the workweek, provided the average weekly hours do not exceed the statutory limit.
- Standard Weekly Hours: 40 hours
- Standard Daily Hours: 8 hours (typically)
- Workweek Structure: Usually 5 days per week
In certain cases, such as jobs with specific health and safety risks, working hours may be reduced below 40 hours per week.
Overtime Regulations and Compensation
Work performed beyond the standard working hours is considered overtime. Overtime is generally permitted but is subject to strict limits and requires increased compensation.
- Maximum Daily Overtime: Up to 4 hours
- Maximum Weekly Overtime: Up to 8 hours
- Maximum Annual Overtime: Generally limited to 200 hours per year, though exceptions may apply in specific circumstances or with collective agreements.
Compensation for overtime work must be higher than the regular hourly rate. The minimum increase required by law is typically 25% of the basic salary. Collective agreements or individual employment contracts may stipulate higher rates.
| Type of Work | Minimum Overtime Compensation Increase |
|---|---|
| Overtime | 25% |
| Night Work | 25% |
| Work on Public Holidays | 50% |
Note: If overtime occurs during night shifts or on public holidays, the respective increases may stack or the higher rate applies, depending on specific regulations or agreements.
Overtime should generally be ordered in writing, and employees cannot be compelled to work overtime if they have valid reasons for refusal, such as health issues or family obligations.
Rest Periods and Breaks
Employees are entitled to mandatory rest periods during the workday, between workdays, and weekly.
- Daily Break: Employees working more than six hours per day are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes during the workday. This break is typically included within the working hours.
- Daily Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum rest period of 12 consecutive hours between two working days.
- Weekly Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum rest period of 24 consecutive hours per week, usually on Sunday. If work is required on their designated rest day, they must be provided with a substitute rest day within the following week.
In addition to these regular rest periods, employees are also entitled to annual leave. The minimum duration of annual leave is typically 20 working days per year, increasing with length of service.
Night and Weekend Work
Work performed during specific hours defined as night time is subject to special regulations and compensation. Night work is typically defined as work performed between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
- Night Work Compensation: Work performed during night hours is subject to a minimum compensation increase, typically 25% of the basic salary, unless the nature of the job inherently involves night work and this is reflected in the basic salary.
- Night Work Limits: Specific limits may apply to the duration of night work, especially for certain categories of employees or professions, to protect health and safety.
Work on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) is generally considered part of the standard workweek if the work schedule requires it. However, work performed on the mandatory weekly rest day (usually Sunday) or on public holidays is subject to higher compensation rates, as mentioned in the overtime section.
Working Time Recording
Employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a legal obligation to keep accurate records of their employees' working hours. This includes regular hours, overtime hours, night work, and work on weekends or holidays.
- Obligation: Employers must maintain records of hours worked for each employee.
- Purpose: These records serve as proof of compliance with working time regulations and are essential for calculating correct wages, including overtime pay.
- Inspection: Labor inspectors have the right to request and review these records to ensure compliance with labor laws.
Maintaining precise and transparent working time records is a fundamental requirement for employers to demonstrate adherence to Bosnian and Herzegovinian labor legislation and avoid potential penalties.
