Lithuania

In Lithuania, the labor law outlines the maximum and average working hours to ensure the well-being of employees and prevent burnout.

The typical workweek in Lithuania consists of 40 hours, which translates to an 8-hour workday from Monday through Friday. However, specific agreements between employers and employees can deviate from the standard 40-hour week.

Lithuanian law also establishes a maximum of 8 working hours per day. This regulation excludes the time allocated for lunch breaks.

In Lithuania, the law permits overtime work under certain conditions, with specific limitations and required compensation. These regulations are outlined in the Lithuanian Labour Code.

Limitations on Overtime Work

• Weekly Limit: Employees cannot be required to work more than 8 hours of overtime per week.
• Increased Limit with Consent: If the employee provides written consent, the weekly overtime limit can be extended to 12 hours.
• Annual Limit: The maximum total overtime work allowed in a year is 180 hours.
• Collective Agreement Exceptions: Collective agreements between employers and employee unions can establish different overtime limits, as long as they comply with worker safety regulations.

Exceptions to Overtime Regulations

• Certain Managerial Roles: Overtime regulations may not apply to specific managerial positions as outlined in collective agreements or internal company regulations.

Overtime Work Compensation

• Standard Overtime Pay: Employees working overtime are entitled to compensation of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly wage.
• Increased Pay for Special Hours: Overtime work performed at night or on rest days warrants compensation at a rate of at least double the employee's regular salary.
• National Holidays: Work performed on national holidays requires compensation of at least 2.5 times the employee's regular wage.

Employee Consent and Records

• Employer Obligation: Employers must obtain the employee's written consent before assigning overtime work.
• Record Keeping: Employers are required to maintain accurate records of all overtime hours worked by each employee.

In Lithuania, labor law mandates rest periods and breaks to ensure employee well-being and prevent fatigue.

Daily Breaks

Employees are entitled to a break for rest and meal consumption, lasting between 30 minutes and 2 hours. This break must be provided no later than 5 hours after the workday commences.

Daily Rest Between Workdays

Lithuanian law mandates a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest between workdays (shifts). This ensures adequate recovery time before returning to work.

Weekly Rest Period

Employees are legally entitled to a minimum of 35 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest per week. This rest period typically falls over two consecutive days, usually the weekend.

Exceptions for Specific Work Schedules

In cases with split working days (work with a break exceeding the standard lunch break), employees must still receive the minimum daily rest of 11 consecutive hours.

When using summary working time recording (work hours tracked over a reference period), the maximum weekly working time, excluding additional work and on-call duty, cannot exceed 52 hours.

In Lithuania, labor law acknowledges the unique challenges associated with night and weekend work. The Lithuanian Labour Code has specific regulations to protect employee well-being during these non-standard working hours.

Night work is defined as work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The average number of night work hours per week cannot exceed 8 hours over a three-month accounting period. Night work warrants increased compensation. Employees working night shifts are entitled to at least a 1.5 times their regular wage.

Employees are legally entitled to a minimum of 35 consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest per week, which typically falls over two consecutive days, including weekends. Weekend work can be mandated with the employee's written consent. Work performed on weekends necessitates increased compensation. Employees working on weekends are entitled to at least double their regular wage.

When night work falls on a weekend, employees earn both night work and weekend work supplements, ensuring fair compensation for the additional strain. Specific exemptions from weekend work regulations exist for certain professions and essential services as outlined in the Labour Code or collective agreements.