How long does the working day last.

Labor duties and rights in Ukraine are regulated by the Labor Code. It outlines all the nuances of the labor process. Including how long the working day lasts and how it can be adjusted.

In general, the working day in Ukraine can be full or partial. There are also various types of employment (e.g., part-Time). Overall, all these nuances affect the conditions of employment and the amount of work.

How long does the working day last?

When understanding how long the working day lasts, it is worth immediately paying attention to legislative norms. In Ukraine, the duration of the working day is regulated by the Labor Code (LС). The same code outlines how much an employee can work and what happens if they work overtime. All overtime work is also described in the code, as well as the payment for it.

As for the duration of the working day, the following norms apply in Ukraine:

1. Normal duration of the working day. The normal working time should not exceed 40 hours per week. This rule is fixed in article 50 of the LС of Ukraine.

2. Working day: this usually means an 8-hour working day with a five-day working week. However, other work schedules (e.g., six-day working week) can be applied, but the total duration should not exceed 40 hours per week.

There is a shorter working day in Ukraine. There are also holidays, which are not in effect during wartime. So, what does a shortened working day entail:

1. For certain categories of workers (e.g., minors, disabled people, workers in dangerous professions), a shorter working time is established. Minors in principle cannot work on par with adults (this is prohibited by law).

2. For workers aged 16 to 18 years, the maximum working time should not exceed 36 hours per week, and for workers aged 15 to 16 years and students who work during the school year, — 24 hours per week.

Shorter working day for certain categories of workers. Article 51 of the LС of Ukraine establishes a shorter working time for workers with special working conditions (e.g., hazardous conditions), which is typically 36 hours per week.

There is also the concept of overtime work in the Labor Code. Overtime work must be compensated either in the form of double payment or in the form of additional rest time. Overtime work should not exceed 120 hours per year for each worker.

What is known about an irregular working day?

An irregular working day may be established for certain categories of workers, with additional leave provided (a minimum of 7 calendar days).

These norms regulate the duration of the working day and week for workers in Ukraine. It is important to note that collective agreements or internal company rules may establish more favorable conditions but cannot worsen the position of workers compared to legislative norms. In other words, an agreement cannot violate the law on the maximum duration of the working day.

A few words can be said about the annual work quota (in hours). The annual duration of working time varies depending on the number of working days and holidays in a year. For example, with a 40-hour workweek considering holidays and weekends, the normal annual duration can be about 1,986-2,016 hours (depending on the year). Overtime work, according to article 62 of the LC, should not exceed 120 hours per year for each worker.