Working time regulations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are primarily governed by labor laws enacted at the entity level, specifically the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Republika Srpska (RS), as well as the Brčko District. While there are some variations, the core principles regarding standard working hours, overtime, rest periods, and employer obligations are broadly similar across the country. These regulations are designed to protect employee well-being and ensure fair compensation for work performed.
Understanding and complying with these working time rules is essential for employers operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025. Failure to adhere to the legal requirements can result in significant penalties and legal challenges. Employers must establish clear policies and procedures for managing working hours, calculating overtime, and ensuring employees receive their entitled rest periods and breaks.
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 8-hour workday over a five-day workweek, Monday through Friday. However, collective agreements or individual employment contracts may specify a different distribution of these 40 hours, provided it complies with legal limits on daily and weekly working time.
Part-time work is also permitted, with the number of hours agreed upon between the employer and employee, but it must not exceed the standard full-time hours. The rights and obligations of part-time employees are generally proportional to their working hours compared to full-time employees.
Overtime Regulations and Compensation
Work performed in excess of the standard 40 hours per week is considered overtime. Overtime can only be ordered in specific circumstances, such as increased workload, unforeseen events, or other urgent needs, and is subject to legal limits.
The maximum amount of overtime work is generally limited. In the Federation of BiH, an employee may work up to 8 hours of overtime per week and up to 20 hours per month. Overtime cannot exceed 180 hours per year, although collective agreements may allow for a higher annual limit, up to 230 hours. In Republika Srpska, the general limit is also 8 hours per week and 20 hours per month, with an annual limit typically set by law or collective agreement.
Overtime work must be compensated at an increased rate. The specific rate is usually determined by law, collective agreement, or employment contract, but it must be higher than the standard hourly rate.
| Type of Work | Minimum Overtime Rate (Increase over standard rate) |
|---|---|
| Standard Overtime | Typically 25% |
| Overtime on Holidays | Typically 50% or 100% (depending on entity/agreement) |
| Overtime on Sundays | Typically 50% or 100% (depending on entity/agreement) |
| Night Work Overtime | Additional increase (combined with night work premium) |
Employers are generally required to pay the increased rate for overtime hours worked. In some cases, with the employee's consent and as regulated by collective agreement or contract, overtime may be compensated with equivalent paid time off instead of monetary compensation.
Rest Periods and Breaks
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to various rest periods and breaks to ensure their health and safety. These include:
- Daily Break: Employees working full-time are entitled to a break of at least 30 minutes during their workday. This break is usually not included in the working time.
- Daily Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum daily rest period between two consecutive working days. This period is typically at least 12 consecutive hours.
- Weekly Rest: Employees are entitled to a weekly rest period of at least 24 consecutive hours, usually on Sunday. If work on Sunday is unavoidable, the employee must be provided with a rest day during the following week.
- Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum period of paid annual leave. The minimum duration is typically 20 working days per year, but this can increase based on years of service, working conditions, and other factors as defined by law, collective agreement, or employment contract.
Night and Weekend Work
Work performed during the night is subject to specific regulations and often requires higher compensation. Night work is typically defined as work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Employees who regularly work at night may be entitled to a shorter workweek or additional rest periods. A premium rate is usually paid for night work, often around 25% above the standard hourly rate, which can be combined with overtime premiums if applicable.
Work on Sundays and public holidays is also subject to specific rules and compensation requirements. As mentioned under overtime, work performed on these days is typically compensated at a significantly higher rate than standard work. Employers must generally obtain consent from employees to work on Sundays or holidays, except in specific industries or circumstances where continuous operation is necessary.
Working Time Recording
Employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have a legal obligation to keep accurate records of their employees' working hours. This includes recording the start and end times of each workday, as well as any overtime hours worked. These records are crucial for ensuring compliance with working time regulations, correctly calculating wages and overtime pay, and demonstrating adherence to labor laws during inspections. The method of recording can vary, from manual timesheets to electronic time tracking systems, but the records must be reliable and accessible for inspection by relevant authorities.
