The amendment to the Labour Code, which is already effective from 1 October 2023, also brought a change regarding overtime work in the healthcare sector. It is this change that has caused a wave of discontent among health workers, many of whom have resigned. In connection with this, some hospitals have resorted to limiting the provision of health care. Another reason for the growing dissatisfaction of health workers was their remuneration.
Grading of health professions groups from 1 January 2024
Currently, a compromise has been partially reached, as the Government, at the request of the Ministry of Health, has approved a Government Regulation (not yet published in the Collection of Laws) amending Government Regulation No.222/2010 Coll., on the catalogue of jobs in public services and administration, with effect from 1 January 2024.
Under this regulation, health professionals working as pharmaceutical assistants, pharmacists, dentists and doctors can be placed in higher grades than before.
Grade ranges for the occupations listed:
- Pharmaceutical assistants (grades 9 - 11)
- Pharmacists (grades 11- 15)
- Dentists (grades 12 - 15)
- Doctors (grades 12 -15)
Current overtime arrangements in the healthcare sector
Arrangements for overtime work in general
Overtime work is regulated by § Section 93 of the Labour Codewhich defines the general conditions for overtime work.
Overtime work may only be performed exceptionally and may only be ordered by the employer for serious operational reasons, including for uninterrupted daily rest periods and rest days. Overtime work ordered by the employer not more than 8 hours in individual weeks a 150 hours in the calendar Year.
The employer may only require the performance of overtime work in excess of the scope set out above by agreement with the employee.
The total amount of overtime work may not exceed an average of more than 8 hours per week over a period which may not exceed 26 consecutive weeks (compensatory period). This period may only be limited by collective agreement to up to 52 consecutive weeks.
Regulation of overtime work in the healthcare sector by an amendment to the Labour Code
Overtime work in the health care sector is regulated by Section 93a (Additional agreed overtime work in the health care sector), which was added to the Labour Code by amendment to Act No. 281/2023 Coll.
Other agreed overtime work shall be performed in continuous operation connected with the provision of health services by an inpatient care provider or an ambulance service provider by the following professions:
- Doctor, dentist or pharmacist
- Non-medical health professional working on a continuous basis
Additional agreed overtime work means work performed in excess of the scope specified in Section 93(4), that is, in excess of the average of 8 hours per week within the compensation period.
The amount of additional agreed overtime work for health care employees may not exceed an average of 8 hours per week, and for ambulance service employees an average of 12 hours per week per compensation period. The employee must agree to the additional agreed overtime and must not be forced or subjected to any detriment.
Conditions for negotiating additional agreed overtime:
- Must be agreed in writing
- May not be agreed within the first 12 weeks of the date of the relationship
- May not be contracted for more than 52 consecutive weeks
- It can be cancelled immediately without giving any reason within 12 weeks of the agreement, in the case of immediate cancellation, written execution is required, which must be delivered to the other party
- The employer is obliged to keep a list of employees in the healthcare sector who perform agreed overtime work
AVENSIO SW programme
You can find the overtime pay codes in the menu program Main menu - Dialers - Payroll table.
Payroll codes are entered on Payroll items (Employee card - Employment).
