Working time, breaks and attendance records

Working time is one of the basic concepts of labour law, and setting it up correctly affects wages, pay supplements and employee satisfaction alike. Linked to it are breaks at work and mandatory attendance records. Mistakes in this area show up mainly on payday and during inspections, when it becomes clear whether the company keeps its records correctly. That is why it pays to give the rules your attention before disputes arise over the hours worked. In this article, we give a clear explanation of the rules every employer should know.

What working time is

Working time is the period during which an employee is at the employer’s disposal and performs work. The law sets its maximum extent as well as the rules for scheduling it. The break for rest and a meal is not counted as working time, but some forms of on-call duty are subject to a special regime.

Scheduling working time

Working time can be scheduled evenly or unevenly, depending on the needs of the business. With uneven scheduling, the number of hours varies from week to week, but the average over the reference period must stay within the statutory limits.

• even scheduling with fixed weekly hours
• uneven scheduling according to the season or shifts
• flexible working time with optional time bands

Breaks and rest

After working a certain number of hours, an employee is entitled to a break for rest and a meal. In addition, the law guarantees uninterrupted daily and weekly rest. These breaks and rest periods are important for health and safety and cannot be shortened arbitrarily.

Overtime and pay supplements

Work beyond the scheduled working time is overtime, and it entitles the employee to extra pay. Supplements are also due for work at night, at weekends and on public holidays. As the specific rates and limits may change, always check the current conditions before processing payroll.

Attendance records

The employer is required to keep working time records that show the start and end of work, overtime, night work and breaks. Accurate records are the basis for calculating wages correctly and also serve as evidence during an inspection by the Labour Inspectorate (inšpektorát práce).

• record the start and end of each shift
• record overtime, night work and public holidays
• keep the supporting documents for calculating wages

Shift work and on-call duty

Special rules apply to businesses that operate in shifts and to on-call duty. In shift operations, working time is scheduled in consecutive shifts, and care must be taken to ensure the required rest between them. On-call duty, during which the employee is ready to step in, has its own remuneration regime that differs from ordinary work. A distinction is also made as to whether the employee is on call at the workplace or outside it. Correctly classifying these forms in the working time records is essential for calculating wages and compensation accurately.

How to avoid mistakes

Incorrectly recorded working time leads to payroll errors and to the risk of penalties. We recommend using a reliable recording system and checking schedules and overtime regularly. Our payroll specialists will link your attendance records to the correct calculation of wages, so that this area is worry-free for you and pay always matches the time actually worked.

Related articles: Compensation for damage in the workplace: who is liable, Non-compete clause in an employment contract, State contribution for training new employees.

Frequently asked questions

Does an employer have to keep working time records?

Yes, keeping working time records is a legal obligation. The records must show the start and end of work, overtime, night work and breaks. They serve as the basis for calculating wages and as evidence during an inspection by the Labour Inspectorate.

Does the lunch break count as working time?

The break for rest and a meal is generally not counted as working time. The employee is entitled to it after working the prescribed number of hours. Special rules may apply in some businesses, so check the current conditions.