Navigating employment regulations in North Macedonia requires a clear understanding of the rules governing working hours, rest periods, and overtime. These regulations are designed to protect employee well-being and ensure fair compensation for work performed beyond the standard schedule. Compliance with these rules is essential for businesses operating in the country to avoid potential legal issues and maintain positive employee relations.
Understanding the specific requirements for standard workweeks, limitations on overtime, mandatory breaks, and record-keeping is crucial for employers. The framework for working time in North Macedonia sets clear boundaries for daily and weekly hours, as well as specific provisions for work performed during nights, weekends, or in excess of the standard norm.
Standard Working Hours
The standard full-time working hours in North Macedonia are set at 40 hours per week. This is typically structured over a five-day workweek, resulting in an average of 8 hours per day. However, the law also permits a shorter workweek of 36 hours for employees working in particularly difficult, strenuous, or harmful conditions, as defined by collective agreements or internal company acts.
The maximum weekly working time, including overtime, is generally limited.
Overtime Regulations
Overtime work is permitted in specific circumstances, such as urgent tasks, unforeseen events, or increased workload, but it must be ordered by the employer in writing. There are strict limits on the amount of overtime an employee can work.
- Maximum daily overtime: 4 hours
- Maximum weekly overtime: 8 hours
- Maximum annual overtime: 190 hours
Overtime work is compensated at a higher rate than regular hours. The specific rate is determined by law, collective agreements, or the employment contract, but it must be at least the legally mandated minimum increase.
| Type of Work | Minimum Overtime Compensation Increase (over base wage) |
|---|---|
| Overtime | At least 30% |
| Night Work | At least 35% |
| Weekend Work | At least 50% |
| Public Holidays | At least 50% |
Note that if overtime occurs during night shifts, weekends, or public holidays, the higher applicable rate applies, and these increases may be cumulative depending on the specific collective agreement or contract.
Rest Periods and Breaks
Employees in North Macedonia are entitled to mandatory rest periods to ensure their health and safety. These include daily, weekly, and annual rest entitlements.
- Daily Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 12 consecutive hours of rest between two working days.
- Break during Work: For a full-time work day (8 hours), employees are entitled to a paid break of at least 30 minutes. For a shorter workday (4-6 hours), the break is at least 15 minutes. This break is included in the working time.
- Weekly Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of rest per week, typically including Sunday.
- Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave per calendar year. This can be increased based on length of service, working conditions, and other criteria specified in collective agreements or employment contracts, up to a maximum of 26 working days (or more in specific sectors like healthcare or education).
Night and Weekend Work
Work performed during specific periods is subject to special regulations and compensation rates.
- Night Work: Work performed between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM is considered night work. Employees working at night are entitled to a higher compensation rate (at least 35% increase) and may have limitations on the duration of night shifts or require specific health checks.
- Weekend Work: Work performed on the designated weekly rest day (typically Sunday) is considered weekend work and is compensated at a higher rate (at least 50% increase).
- Work on Public Holidays: Work performed on official public holidays is also compensated at a higher rate (at least 50% increase).
Working Time Recording
Employers in North Macedonia have a legal obligation to accurately record the working hours of their employees. This includes tracking regular hours, overtime hours, night work, weekend work, and time taken for breaks and leave.
Maintaining precise records is crucial for demonstrating compliance with working time regulations, calculating correct wages and overtime pay, and resolving potential disputes. These records must be accessible for inspection by relevant authorities. The method of recording can vary but must reliably capture the start and end times of work, as well as any deviations from the standard schedule.
