The Labor Code of Turkmenistan establishes the legal framework for working hours in the country. Here's a breakdown of the key regulations:

The standard workweek for a full-time employee in Turkmenistan does not exceed 40 hours.

For employees aged 16 to 18, the workweek cannot surpass 36 hours. For individuals under 16, the maximum workweek is set at 24 hours.

The specific daily work hours are determined by the internal labor regulations (shift schedules) established by the organization. These regulations must adhere to the limitations outlined in the statutory working hours (40 hours/week). The Labor Code does not dictate a specific daily work schedule. However, typical office hours in Turkmenistan fall between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

In Turkmenistan, the Labor Code outlines specific limitations and compensation requirements for overtime work.

Overtime work is defined as any work performed by an employee exceeding their established working hours or daily shift at the employer's initiative. The maximum permitted overtime for an individual employee is four hours for two consecutive days. The yearly overtime limit for an employee cannot surpass 120 hours.

Employers may request employees to work beyond the standard limits only under exceptional circumstances. These can include natural disasters, industrial accidents, emergencies in healthcare, unforeseen delays or technical issues disrupting operations, disruptions in essential home services such as electricity and water, situations where work breaks are not permitted due to the nature of the shift, such as continuous monitoring, and temporary employee shortages. The burden of proof for justifying the need for extended overtime lies with the employer.

Overtime work must be compensated at a rate not less than twice the standard hourly wage of the employee. In lieu of increased wages, employees can request a day off during the year for overtime hours worked. The number of days off granted cannot exceed the number of overtime hours worked.

These regulations aim to protect employees from excessive workloads and ensure fair compensation for extended working hours.

Turkmenian labor law mandates designated breaks and rest periods for employees to ensure well-being and prevent burnout. These entitlements are based on the Labor Code of Turkmenistan:

Break for Rest and Meals

• All employees are entitled to a break for rest and meals lasting at least one hour, but not more than two hours.
• This break time is not included in the employee's working hours.
• Ideally, the break should be provided every four hours after the start of work.
• The specific timing of the break can be established by the organization's internal labor regulations, but should prioritize employee well-being and avoid disrupting workflow excessively.

Exceptions for Break Schedule

• In specific situations where the production process necessitates continuous operation, or in continuously operating enterprises, a break schedule may not be feasible.
• Under such circumstances, the employer can provide shorter breaks every four hours, for up to 30 minutes each.

While the Labor Code outlines minimum break durations, some practices suggest typical lunch breaks in Turkmenistan might be closer to one hour. This practice may vary depending on the organization and industry.

These regulations ensure that employees in Turkmenistan have dedicated periods for rest and meal breaks, promoting better work-life balance and improved productivity.

The Labor Code of Turkmenistan establishes specific regulations for night shifts and weekend work, considering potential health and social impacts on employees.

Nighttime in Turkmenistan is defined as the period between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. Working during these hours is considered night work. When an employee's shift coincides with nighttime, the total duration of the shift is reduced by one hour compared to a standard day shift. This aims to acknowledge the potential strain of working during nighttime hours.

Each hour of work performed during the night is compensated at a rate of one and a half times the standard hourly wage, unless the nature of the job inherently involves working nights (e.g., security guard) and the wages already factor in night work. This regulation incentivizes employees who take on night shifts and compensates for the potential disruption to their sleep schedules.

Turkmenistan adheres to a five-day workweek with a minimum of two rest days per week. Sundays are generally considered the standard rest day. Weekend work is generally prohibited, with some exceptions:

• Situations deemed emergencies or necessities by the employer, such as accidents, natural disasters, or disruptions in essential services (electricity, water).
• Employees in specific industries where continuous operations are essential (e.g., healthcare, hospitality) may be required to work weekends on a rotational schedule.
• Weekend work can be permitted with the employee's written consent, provided the work does not violate health and safety regulations. In such cases, the employee is entitled to compensatory time off or increased wages as outlined in the agreement with the employer.

These regulations aim to strike a balance between operational needs and employee well-being. Night shifts are compensated accordingly, and weekend work is generally discouraged except in specific circumstances.