Latvian labor law establishes a framework for standard working hours, ensuring a balance between employee productivity and well-being. The key regulations are as follows:

• Regular Working Time: The Latvian Labour Law defines regular working hours as the standard timeframe for employee work. It dictates that a daily working period cannot exceed eight hours, and the total weekly working hours must not surpass 40 hours.

• Exceptions: Deviations from the standard schedule are permissible under specific circumstances. For instance, jobs with high-risk factors might have a shortened regular working time. The Cabinet of Ministers holds the authority to determine these exceptions for various employee categories.

• Six-Day Workweek: If a company operates on a six-day schedule, the daily working hours are generally capped at seven hours to maintain a comparable total workweek within the 40-hour limit.

• Flexible Working Day: A working day with fewer than eight hours in a five-day week can be balanced by a longer day, not exceeding nine hours, within the same week.

In Latvia, overtime work is permitted but is subject to specific regulations. Employees under 18, pregnant women, women who recently gave birth (within the past year), and breastfeeding mothers cannot be required to work overtime. Overtime work generally requires written consent from both the employer and the employee. This agreement should specify the amount of overtime and how it will be compensated.

Overtime cannot exceed 8 hours per week. The total overtime allowed in a month is capped at 48 hours. Overtime work exceeding 6 consecutive days requires approval by the State Labour Inspectorate. In any four-month period, the maximum overtime limit is 144 hours.

Latvian law mandates a minimum overtime pay supplement of 100% of the employee's regular hourly, daily, or piecework wage rate. Collective bargaining agreements or individual employment contracts can stipulate a higher overtime pay supplement.

In Latvia, labor law ensures minimum rest periods and breaks for employees.

Weekly Rest Period

Employees are guaranteed a minimum of 42 consecutive hours of weekly rest within any seven-day period. This typically translates to two rest days per week, although the specific days may vary depending on the work schedule. Sundays are generally considered the universal rest day.

Daily Rest Period

Between two working days, employees must receive a minimum of 12 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest.

Breaks During the Workday

Employees working six hours or more in a day are entitled to a break. This break must be at least 30 minutes and cannot be taken later than four hours after the start of the workday. Employers, in consultation with employee representatives, can determine the specific length of the break, provided it meets the minimum 30-minute requirement. If a 30-minute break is not feasible, the break can be divided into two 15-minute intervals.

Latvia's Labour Law (2002) provides specific regulations for night shift and weekend work to ensure employee well-being and fair working practices.

Night work is defined as any work performed for more than two hours during the designated nighttime period. There are two variations depending on the age group:

• For Adults: Nighttime is from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• For Children (Under 18): Nighttime is from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Night shift employees (those working at least 50 nights per year or following a designated night shift schedule) are entitled to a shorter workday compared to day shift employees. Their regular daily working hours must be reduced by one hour. Certain categories of employees are protected from mandatory night work:

• Employees under 18 years old
• Pregnant women
• Women who recently gave birth (up to one year after childbirth)
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Employees with children under 3 years old (requires employee consent for night work)

The reduced working hour requirement for night shifts may not apply in specific situations if:

• The employee has a pre-existing, shortened workday requirement
• The nature of the undertaking necessitates a full eight-hour workday for night shift employees

Working on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) generally constitutes overtime work and requires employee consent. Employers can mandate weekend work under specific circumstances:

• Urgent public need
• Exceptional circumstances
• Completing unexpected work

Employers are obligated to maintain records of all employee working hours, including overtime hours, night hours, and weekend hours.