Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce

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01. Is there a concept of redundancy - based on a shortage of work or other economic reasons - as a justified reason to dismiss employees in your jurisdiction? If so, how is it defined?

01. Is there a concept of redundancy - based on a shortage of work or other economic reasons - as a justified reason to dismiss employees in your jurisdiction? If so, how is it defined?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, there is. An employee is redundant if the following conditions are met:

  • the employer adopted a decision on organisational change;
  • the change concerns the scope of activities, tasks, technical equipment, number of employees, or otherwise alters the structure of the employer;
  • the aim of the change is to increase work efficiency, reduce costs, or otherwise alter the performance of the employer’s enterprise; and
  • as a result, the employee’s work is redundant or not needed.

According to case law, the employee’s work is not needed, either at all or at least in part, with the rest being distributed among the current employees or corporate body. Rebranding the position, hiring a new employee to carry out the work of the dismissed employee shortly thereafter, or otherwise fabricating the redundancy with an ulterior motive does not qualify as redundancy.

Czech law provides two other similar reasons based on which an employer is entitled to terminate employment – closing down or relocation of the employer’s undertaking or its part. Together with redundancy, these three reasons are known as “organisational reasons” (in Czech: “organizační důvody”) for termination of employment. However, closing down and relocation of the employer or its part are different reasons than the redundancy itself, and therefore we do not address them further.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Yes – according to the Romanian Labour Code, the redundancy process (or elimination of the position) is a dismissal due to reasons not attributable to the employee caused by the cancellation of the role for objective reasons, provided that the role cancellation is effective (must be deleted from the organisational chart) and has a real (is based on real operational or economic arguments) and serious (is not a disguised termination of employment based on subjective reasons) origin. In other words, the functionality of the position is no longer useful in the internal organisation of the employer (eg, economic reasons, restructuring of the business, or externalisation).

Last updated on 18/10/2023

02. In brief, what is the required process for making someone redundant?

02. In brief, what is the required process for making someone redundant?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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The employer must take the following steps:

  • review underlying documents (including organisational charts), decide what organisational change needs to be made and work out which positions are no longer needed, and plan the timing;
  • adopt a decision on organisational change, including its effective date and which redundant positions are cancelled. The decision doesn’t have to be in writing or state reasons for the redundancy. However, both are highly recommended and a market standard, as this serves as evidence;
  • if there are unions, consult the unions in advance (see question 4), and if a union representative is supposed to be made redundant, obtain the union’s consent in advance (see question 11);
  • execute dismissal either by a termination agreement (recommended) or a termination notice with the redundant employees. In case of termination notice, the redundancy must (based on the decision) take effect on or before the notice period expired, not after; and
  • implement the organisational change (including updating organisational charts).

Organisational changes may also be governed by collective agreements, in which case additional rules may apply (this applies to all the questions below).

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The process starts by drawing up a reorganisation plan, which comprises the business rationale that justifies the need to eliminate the positions or positions. In other words, the document must be a comprehensive plan detailing the need to reorganise the activity as well as the implementation of the envisaged measures.

There should also be a selection procedure and a rationale as to why a post is preferred to a reduction in staff for similar positions.

Once it has been drawn up, the business plan must be approved by the relevant corporate body (usually the shareholders – the up-to-date Articles of Incorporation must be analysed to establish the competent body). Consequently, a decision or resolution from the Romanian legal entity or competent corporate body regarding the cancellation of the positions and the approval of a new organisation chart must be prepared as the next step.

Based on this approval, the employer's director or administrator, as the legal representative, issues a decision implementing the approval and notifies the employee about the cancellation of his or her position.

After the notice period lapses (usually 20 working days), the employer issues the final document, which is the dismissal decision.

Last updated on 18/10/2023

03. Does this process change where there is a “collective redundancy”? If so, what is the employee number threshold that triggers a collective redundancy?

03. Does this process change where there is a “collective redundancy”? If so, what is the employee number threshold that triggers a collective redundancy?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, Czech law provides a special procedure for “collective dismissal” in all three cases of organisational changes (see question 1).

The threshold is:

  • ten employees if the employer has 20 to 100 employees;
  • 10% of employees if the employer has 101 to 300 employees; and
  • 30 employees if the employer has more than 300 employees.

The respective number of employees must be dismissed due to redundancy within a period of 30 days. If at least five employees are dismissed within 30 days by termination notice due to redundancy, then employees dismissed in the same period by termination agreement are included in these thresholds.

In addition to the process above, collective dismissal must be:

  • consulted with unions 30 days in advance, or notified to each affected employee if there are no active unions at the employer; and
  • notified to the local Labour Office: (i) in advance, including information on commencement of the consultation process with unions; and (ii) on its result once it’s completed, in the form of a written report that must be delivered in copy to unions, which then have the right to comment on it – employment relationships can terminate only after the lapse of 30 days following this.
Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Yes – under the Labour Code provisions, collective dismissal is dismissal within 30 calendar days, due to reasons independent of the employee, of:

  • at least 10 employees, if the employer has between 20 and 100 employees;
  • at least 10% of employees, if the employer has between 100 and 300 employees; and
  • at least 30 employees, if the employer has at least 300 employees.
Last updated on 18/10/2023

04. Do employers need to consult with unions or employee representatives at any stage of the redundancy process? If there is a requirement to consult, does agreement need to be reached with the union/employee representatives at the end of the consultation?

04. Do employers need to consult with unions or employee representatives at any stage of the redundancy process? If there is a requirement to consult, does agreement need to be reached with the union/employee representatives at the end of the consultation?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, the employer must consult any termination notice in advance. Agreement doesn’t have to be reached (with the exception of employees with enhanced protection; see question 11). In practice, the consultation is more of an announcement.

In case of collective dismissal, consultation must take place, and the employer must try to reach an agreement and inform the Labour Office of the result.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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For the regular redundancy process, there is no obligation to consult with unions or employee representatives. However, it is advisable to inform them about the reorganisation. Nevertheless, before the commencement of a collective dismissal, the employer must initiate consultations with employee representatives or trade unions, as the case may be, concerning matters such as social measures for the professional requalification of the dismissed employees.

The law provides for mandatory negotiations, meaning that the employer must provide representatives with relevant information that will be subsequently communicated to the local labour inspectorate.

Last updated on 18/10/2023

05. If agreement is not reached, can the restructure be delayed or prevented? If so, by whom?

05. If agreement is not reached, can the restructure be delayed or prevented? If so, by whom?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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It is the employer’s right to make an organisational change and its factual validity cannot be challenged. However, the individual dismissals may be challenged by employees. If successful (ie, the employer doesn’t prove redundancy), the restructure in the individual case may be prevented.

In the case of collective dismissals, it may be delayed by the unions prolonging the consultation. However, even then the unions and the Labour Office can’t prevent the dismissal, and the only way to prevent individual dismissal is a successful individual challenge by the dismissed employee.

If the unions believe that the collective agreement was violated by the redundancy or in the process of its implementation, they may dispute this violation. The dispute may be resolved by a mediator or escalated to an arbitrator. However, this doesn’t prevent the employer from executing the dismissals or restructure (only if violation is later found, it may have certain implications based on the individual collective agreement and nature of its violation).

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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There is no obligation to reach an agreement. Only the necessary steps regarding notification, information and consultation with the representatives or union must be observed. If the legal provisions regarding the notification, information and consultation process are not complied with, the employer's actions are unlawful and can be annulled by the courts. Additionally, the public authorities are also entitled to extend the collective dismissal procedure, at the request of any of the social partners and due to objective reasons.

Last updated on 18/10/2023

06. What does any required consultation process involve (i.e. when should it commence, how long should it last, what needs to be covered)? If an employer fails to comply with its consultation obligations, what remedies are available?

06. What does any required consultation process involve (i.e. when should it commence, how long should it last, what needs to be covered)? If an employer fails to comply with its consultation obligations, what remedies are available?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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In case of individual dismissal, the consultation process is, rather, a notification (with the exception of employees with enhanced protection; see question 11) including:

  • the identity of the employee;
  • termination grounds (redundancy); and
  • basic details of the redundancy (why and when).

It should take place prior to the dismissal (no specific deadline is given).

In case of collective dismissal, the consultation process includes:

  • measures preventing or limiting the collective dismissal;
  • mitigation measures (eg, employing the redundant employee at other workplaces of the employer);
  • reasons;
  • number and professions of redundant employees;
  • number and professions of all the employees;
  • the period during which the collective dismissal takes place;
  • selection method of redundant employees; and
  • severance pay and other rights of the redundant employees.

The consultation process must take place no later than 30 days prior to the collective dismissal. The local Labour Office must be notified as well (see question 3).

The administrative fine for violation of the consultation process with unions is up to 200,000 koruna. Employees who suffer damage as a result may claim compensation.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Once the reorganisation is approved by the competent corporate body, the employer must notify the representatives or the union concerning the intention to reorganise. There is specific information that needs to be provided by the employer. At the same time, the labour authorities must also be notified about starting the notification, information and consultation process. Within 10 days, the representatives or union must provide their point of view and potential specific measures to be taken for the redundancy to be avoided. The employer must respond within five days. If the intention is still to proceed with redundancy, the employer must notify the representative or union and labour authorities. Notifying the public authorities must commence at least 30 calendar days before the issuance of individual dismissal decisions.

The duration of the collective dismissal process depends on the duration of the consultations between the social partners, as well as the mandatory terms to be observed during the collective dismissal procedure, as provided by the Labour Code or by the applicable collective bargaining agreements. According to the Labour Code, the collective dismissal procedure takes at least 45 calendar days.

Last updated on 18/10/2023

07. Do employers need to present an economic business rationale as part of the consultation with unions/employee representatives? If so, can this be challenged and how would such a challenge normally be made?

07. Do employers need to present an economic business rationale as part of the consultation with unions/employee representatives? If so, can this be challenged and how would such a challenge normally be made?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, an economic business rationale should be the reason for organisational change, and therefore the redundancy, and as such should be part of the consultation.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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During the negotiations between the employee’s representatives or trade unions and the employer, the latter will provide economic or operational reasons for their actions. The relevant employees can challenge the dismissal decision within 45 days and request its annulment, claiming that the redundancy measure is, in fact, a wrongful dismissal.

Last updated on 18/10/2023

08. Is there a requirement or is it best practice to consult employees individually (whether or not the employer is also legally required to collectively consult employees)?

08. Is there a requirement or is it best practice to consult employees individually (whether or not the employer is also legally required to collectively consult employees)?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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In case of collective dismissals, if there are no unions or employee representatives, the employer must inform and directly consult the affected employees to the same extent.

In case of individual dismissal, it is not a requirement, nor best practice, and highly depends on the strategy in the individual case.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Negotiations and discussions are conducted with employee representatives or trade unions. Usually, if there are no such bodies of employees, the employees are not individually consulted.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

09. Are there rules on the selection of individual employees for redundancy?

09. Are there rules on the selection of individual employees for redundancy?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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The only rule is that the employee’s position or work must be genuinely redundant (see question 1). If more than one employee fulfils this condition, it is up to the employer which employee to select. However, this choice must not indicate that there are in fact different motives for the redundancy of the selected employee (eg, disputes with the employer, unsatisfactory performance, or gender or other discriminatory motives).

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The positions to be made redundant will be established, and the employees are then selected according to the results of the appraisal. If, after these professional criteria have been applied, several employees are in similar circumstances, the social criteria laid down in special laws or collective labour agreements will apply. Such criteria may include:

  • if both spouses work in the same establishment, the dismissal of the spouse with the lower salary;
  • priority for employees without children as carers; and
  • protecting the posts of carers, sole earners or individuals who have no more than three years left before reaching retirement age, etc.
Last updated on 19/10/2023

10. Are there any specific categories of employees who an employer is prohibited from making redundant?

10. Are there any specific categories of employees who an employer is prohibited from making redundant?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, a termination notice due to redundancy is not allowed during the period for which an employee is:

  • declared temporarily medically unfit for work or in institutional treatment (unless the employee has intentionally caused this unfitness, or it is a direct consequence of the employee’s alcohol intoxication or substance abuse);
  • deployed in military exercises or military service;
  • on long-term full leave to act in public office;
  • pregnant, or on maternity leave, paternity leave, or parental leave;
  • declared temporarily unfit for night work if they perform night work; or
  • on leave caring for a child under 10 years of age, treating a child under 10 years of age or other natural persons, or providing long-term care, all as specified in the Czech Sickness Insurance Act.
Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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According to labour law, the dismissal of employees cannot occur:

  • during a period of temporary incapacity for work, established by a medical certificate;
  • during a suspension of work due to quarantine;
  • for reasons related to pregnancy, once the pregnancy is made known to the employer, in writing;
  • during maternity leave;
  • during childcare leave for children up to the age of two or, in the case of a disabled child, up to the age of three;
  • during leave to care for a sick child up to the age of seven or, in the case of a disabled child, for a concurrent illness up to the age of 18;
  • during rest leave; or
  • during parental leave or carers' leave, or during absence from work in unforeseen circumstances caused by a family emergency due to illness or an accident (which may not exceed 10 working days in any calendar year).
Last updated on 19/10/2023

11. Are there categories of employees with enhanced protection (e.g., union officials, employees on sick leave or maternity/parental leave, etc)?

11. Are there categories of employees with enhanced protection (e.g., union officials, employees on sick leave or maternity/parental leave, etc)?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, members of a trade union body during their term of office and for a period of one year after the end of their term of office. The employer must have prior consent of the unions for termination of their employment relationship by a notice. Consent is deemed to be given if the unions don’t respond within 15 days. Consent is valid for two months. Termination notice without such consent is invalid unless the court decides in the validity case that the employer could not have been justifiably required to keep the employee.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Please see question 10.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

12. What payments are employees entitled to when made redundant? Do these payments need to be made within a specified period?  Are there any other requirements, such as giving contractual notice, payments into a central fund, etc.

12. What payments are employees entitled to when made redundant? Do these payments need to be made within a specified period?  Are there any other requirements, such as giving contractual notice, payments into a central fund, etc.

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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A redundant employee is entitled to a statutory severance payment, regardless of whether the employment termination is made by notice or agreement and if the redundancy is explicitly stated as the reason for the termination.

The severance payment is due on the next scheduled pay date following the termination of employment. A later due date can be agreed.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Employees may benefit from severance pay if their position is cancelled or there are collective dismissals. Severance payments may be regulated by collective bargaining contracts, concluded on different levels (eg, activity sectors, or at a company level). In practice, these have also been provided in the employer’s internal regulations. There is no mandatory minimum level of severance pay; it can be freely negotiated and established by the social partners (ie, the employer, the employees’ representatives or the trade union).

The minimum notice term for a collective dismissal is 20 working days. Additionally, dismissed employees may benefit from unemployment indemnities that are paid from the state budget.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

13. If employees are entitled to redundancy/severance payments, are there eligibility criteria and how is the payment calculated? 

13. If employees are entitled to redundancy/severance payments, are there eligibility criteria and how is the payment calculated? 

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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The severance payment amount differs based on the length of the employment as follows:

  • one gross average monthly salary of the employee if the employment lasted less than one year;
  • two gross average monthly salaries of the employee if the employment lasted at least one year but less than two years; and
  • three gross average monthly salaries of the employee if the employment lasted at least two years.

If the working hours account applies (specific working hours distribution scheme under the Czech Labour Code) the statutory severance is the relevant amount above plus three gross average monthly salaries of the employee.

The severance payment may also be higher if stated so by:

  • agreement between the parties;
  • the employer’s internal regulations; or
  • a collective bargaining agreement.

A gross average monthly salary of the employee must be calculated for each employee separately using the specific rules of the Labour Code.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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There is no legal minimum provided by the law on severance packages, and is there no legal obligation to pay them.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

14. Do employers need to notify local/regional/national government and/or regulators before making redundancies? If so, by when and what information needs to be provided?

14. Do employers need to notify local/regional/national government and/or regulators before making redundancies? If so, by when and what information needs to be provided?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Not in cases of individual dismissals.

In cases of collective dismissals, the employer must notify the relevant branch of the Labour Office:

  • of the intention to carry out collective dismissal;
  • that the consultation process has been initiated with the unions or the employees; and
  • of the specific aspects of the collective dismissal, to the same extent as the unions (see question 6).

Following the consultation, the employer must deliver a written report to the Labour Office stating:

  • that the employer has decided on collective redundancies;
  • the outcome of the consultation process;
  • the number and occupational composition of all employees; and
  • the number and occupational composition of the employees to be made redundant.

A copy of the report must be delivered to the unions, which then have the right to comment on it.

 

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The relevant public authorities take part in the collective dismissal procedure, as they are notified concerning the steps of the procedure and the results of consultations between the social partners (ie, the employer and the employees’ representatives or trade union). The public authorities are also entitled to prolong or shorten the collective dismissal procedure, upon the request of any of the social partners and for objective reasons. Information provided to the authorities include the total number and categories of employees; the reasons for the planned redundancies; the number and categories of employees who will be affected by the redundancies; the criteria to be considered for determining the order of priority for redundancies; the measures envisaged to limit the number of redundancies; measures to mitigate the consequences of the redundancies and compensation to be granted to the redundant employees, according to the legal provisions or the applicable collective labour agreement; the date from which or the period during which the redundancies will take place; and the deadline for the trade union or, where appropriate, the employees' representatives to make proposals to avoid or reduce the number of redundancies.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

15. Is there any obligation on employers to consider alternatives to redundancy, including suitable alternative employment?

15. Is there any obligation on employers to consider alternatives to redundancy, including suitable alternative employment?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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No, generally there is no such obligation. If the conditions for dismissal due to redundancy are met, the employer is not obliged to offer the employee an alternative solution.

However, in some specific individual cases, the courts have concluded that if the employer still needs the work on part-time basis, the employer should first offer the employee this part-time job.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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During the negotiations between employee representatives or trade unions and employers, they should discuss: how to avoid collective redundancies or reduce the number of employees to be made redundant; or mitigating the consequences of redundancies through the use of social measures aimed, inter alia, at supporting the retraining of redundant employees.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

16. Do employers need to notify local/regional/national government and/or regulators after making redundancies, e.g. immigration department, labour department, pension authority, inland revenue, social security department? If so, by when and what information needs to be provided?

16. Do employers need to notify local/regional/national government and/or regulators after making redundancies, e.g. immigration department, labour department, pension authority, inland revenue, social security department? If so, by when and what information needs to be provided?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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There are no specific notification obligations after making the redundancies. Only general notification obligations, which are the same for all employment terminations, apply.

These general notifications must be made within eight days, using the relevant forms, to: (i) the employee’s health insurance company; and (ii) the District Social Security Administration (including the pension insurance record sheet).

If wage deductions were made to satisfy the employee’s debt to a third party, the employer must notify the relevant court (or tax authority case of tax debt), including an account of the deductions.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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As already stated, the authorities are notified before and during the collective redundancies about all the procedures, and may delay this process for justified reasons. In addition, employers also must notify the local workforce agency about the redundancies, to find ways to help employees find other jobs.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

17. If an employee is not satisfied with the decision to make them redundant, do they have any potential claims against the employer? If so, what are they and in what forum should they be brought, e.g. tribunal, arbitration, court? Could a union or employee representative bring a claim on behalf of an employee/employees and if so, what claim/s and where should they be brought?

17. If an employee is not satisfied with the decision to make them redundant, do they have any potential claims against the employer? If so, what are they and in what forum should they be brought, e.g. tribunal, arbitration, court? Could a union or employee representative bring a claim on behalf of an employee/employees and if so, what claim/s and where should they be brought?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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An employee may challenge the validity of a dismissal for redundancy if they consider that the statutory conditions were not met. First, the employee who wishes to remain employed must inform the employer without undue delay after the termination notice that they insist on continuing their employment. Second, the employee must file a lawsuit at the district court of the employer’s seat (residence or registered address). The lawsuit must be made within two months from the date on which the employment should have ended. After the two months, the right to file the lawsuit expires.

If the dismissal for redundancy is found invalid, the employee who wishes to remain employed remains to be employed at the original position under the original conditions and is entitled to a full compensation of salary for the whole time from the invalid termination until work is assigned again, or until the employment is validly terminated (ie, including the time of the court proceedings). The court may reduce the amount of such compensation if, for example, the employee has found another job in the interim, or could have found one.

There’s no statutory authorisation for unions to raise any claims at the court on behalf of employees except for insolvency proceedings (see question 21). However, only attorneys at law can represent employees fully and without limits in any proceedings. Another natural person can be granted a power of attorney in a specific case (not repeatedly). Theoretically, this could be a member or employee of the unions, but this is not a market standard.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Employees can file a claim against the employer stating that the redundancy measure is a wrongful dismissal and may request reinstatement as well as retroactive payment of all salary rights as of the date of dismissal. Moreover, the employee also has the right to claim for proven damages. Additionally, the claim must be filed to the tribunal from the employees’ address or place of work. The decision of the tribunal can be challenged to the Court of Appeal, which will give a final decision on the merits. Only union bodies may file a claim and represent the employees (members of the union) in front of the competent court.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

18. Is it common to use settlement agreements when making employees redundant?

18. Is it common to use settlement agreements when making employees redundant?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Yes, it is very common and highly recommended to terminate the employment by mutual agreement when making employees redundant. The termination agreement does not have to state any reasons for termination. However, should the reason be redundancy of the employee, the employee is entitled to statutory severance payment regardless. To motivate the employees to conclude the termination agreement, it is a market standard to offer a higher severance package than the statutory severance payment.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Yes, concluding mutual settlement agreements are quite common in this scenario.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

19. In your experience, how long does it normally take to complete an individual or collective redundancy process?

19. In your experience, how long does it normally take to complete an individual or collective redundancy process?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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Individual redundancies generally take around two to three months. The organisational change must be prepared, and the termination agreement negotiated or the termination notice given. In case of the notice, the statutory notice period is two months. There’s no statutory notice period requirement in case of agreement, therefore it can be faster. It can also take longer (eg, more complicated cases, restructuring, C-level or other higher managers).

For collective redundancies, the process takes several months (at least three) due to higher demands on preparation, more complicated structuring, the consultation process, and the notification obligation to the Labour Office.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The individual process takes about a minimum of 30 calendar days, while the collective one takes at least 45 calendar days.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

20. Are there any limitations on operating a business for a period following a redundancy, like a prohibition on hiring or priority for re-hire being given to previous employees?

20. Are there any limitations on operating a business for a period following a redundancy, like a prohibition on hiring or priority for re-hire being given to previous employees?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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The statutory law does not expressly prohibit certain conduct. However, a redundancy means that the employee’s work is no longer needed and therefore any hiring (internal or external) for the same (or largely the same) position should be avoided (or at least thoroughly considered), especially for the two-month period during which the employee can challenge the validity of the dismissal.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Within 45 days. For individual dismissal procedures, there is no limitation.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

22. What are the remedies that are available if an employer fails to comply with its consultation duties?  Can employees take action to prevent any proposals going ahead?

22. What are the remedies that are available if an employer fails to comply with its consultation duties?  Can employees take action to prevent any proposals going ahead?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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In general, employees have limited ability to influence the process of business transactions. The consultation process (see question 21) doesn’t have to result in an agreement with or of the unions. The administrative fine for violation of the consultation process is up to 200,000 Czech Koruna. If there are no unions and the employer breaches its information obligation towards the individual employees (see question 21), the law provides no administrative penalty. In each case, the employee could claim compensation for damage if any damage occurred.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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A failure to comply with the legal provisions on informing employees is punishable with a fine. This does not exclude employees from taking legal action – if they consider themselves affected by the decision concerning them – and requesting damages.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

23. Is there any statutory protection of employees on a business transfer?  Are employees automatically transferred with the business?  Are employees protected against dismissal (before or after the transfer of employment)? 

23. Is there any statutory protection of employees on a business transfer?  Are employees automatically transferred with the business?  Are employees protected against dismissal (before or after the transfer of employment)? 

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If the statutory conditions for transfer are met, the transfer occurs automatically, ie, neither the original employer, the new employer, the employees, nor the unions can avoid the transfer. An employee may prevent their own transfer only by serving termination notice to the employer before the transfer’s effective date, in which case the employment terminates on the day immediately preceding the transfer’s effective date at the latest. If the employer didn’t inform employee at least 30 days in advance (see question 21), the employee may serve their termination notice within two months after the transfer’s effective date – in which case, only a 15-day notice period applies.

Individual rights and obligations are transferred in full to the new employer. The rights and obligations under the original employer’s collective agreement are also transferred to the new employer, but only for the duration of the collective agreement, and for no longer than to the end of the following calendar year.

Transfer itself is not a statutory reason for terminating the employment. However, a restructuring (organisation change) leading to redundancy may happen before, during, or following the transfer. In such a case, the employee has the same rights as in the case of other redundancies.

If the employee terminates the employment by a notice or by an agreement within two months of the effective date of the transfer, they may raise a claim at court that the reason for termination was a substantial deterioration in working conditions caused by the transfer. If the court confirms it, the employee will be entitled to statutory severance (see question 13).

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The rights and obligations arising from the individual employment agreements of the employees affected by the transfer will be automatically taken over by the transferee employer from the date of the transfer of the activity.

The transfer of the undertaking may not constitute grounds for dismissal of the employees affected by the transfer. However, dismissals that may occur for economic, technical or organisational reasons, involving changes in employment, are not prohibited.

If the employment contract is terminated because the transfer involves a substantial change in working conditions to the detriment of the employee, the employer is liable for the termination of the employment agreement.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

24. What is the procedure for a transfer of employment (upon a business transfer or within group companies)?

24. What is the procedure for a transfer of employment (upon a business transfer or within group companies)?

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Since the transfer of rights and obligations under employment law occurs automatically, it is generally sufficient to follow the legally prescribed procedure for a given business transfer. In addition, it is necessary to comply with the information and consultation obligation (see question 21). Further, general reporting and notification obligations to the state authorities apply.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The transferor must notify the transferee before the transfer date of all the rights and obligations to be transferred. At least 30 days before the transfer date, the transferor and the transferee must notify the employees’ representatives in writing. If this is not possible, they must notify their own employees of specific information.

Irrespective of the number of employees, should the transferor or the transferee envisage measures in connection with their employees concerning the transfer, it must consult with the employees’ representatives at least 30 days before the transfer date. The transferred employee’s approval is not required, as he or she has no right to refuse the transfer as the transfer of employees will occur by law on the date when the undertaking itself is transferred (as stated above, except when the transfer involves a significant change in their working conditions).

Last updated on 19/10/2023

25. Are there any statutory rules on harmonising the transferring employees’ terms of employment with the existing employees’ terms of employment?

25. Are there any statutory rules on harmonising the transferring employees’ terms of employment with the existing employees’ terms of employment?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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The working conditions of the transferred employees cannot substantially worsen. If this were to happen and the employee gave termination notice within two months of the transfer, the employee could claim statutory severance (see question 23).

In addition, the employer must comply with the general principle of equal treatment and ensure equal treatment of both the original and new employees in terms of their working conditions, remuneration, and other benefits, training, and the possibility of promotion.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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No such rules are provided for in the local legislation. The employees are transferred per se, according to the existing conditions or benefits at the moment of transfer.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

26. Can an employer reduce the hours, pay and/or benefits of an employee?

26. Can an employer reduce the hours, pay and/or benefits of an employee?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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If the hours, pay, or benefits are agreed in the employment or other contract, then no unilateral change can be made.

Working hours – either statutory weekly working hours apply (40 hours per week) or shorter working hours are agreed. In either case, the employer determines the distribution unilaterally (subject to complying with statutory rules and limits) unless agreed differently.

Salary – if it isn’t agreed in the employment or other contract, the employer unilaterally determines the salary by an internal regulation or by a salary statement.

Benefits – if they aren’t agreed in the employment or other contract, the employer unilaterally determines the benefits by an internal regulation or by a salary statement.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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The hours and pay can only be amended by concluding an addendum to the individual employment agreement, which shall be signed by both parties. As regards the benefits, in Romania, there is no mandatory obligation to grant benefits to employees in addition to the requirements for the local employer to calculate, withhold, and pay salary tax and compulsory social security contributions. However, if such benefits are regulated by the employment agreement, they cannot be reduced or removed without the employee’s consent, whereas as long as they are laid down by the employer’s policies, procedures or internal regulations, the employer is free to handle them as desired.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

27. Can an employer rely on an express contractual provision to vary an employment term?

27. Can an employer rely on an express contractual provision to vary an employment term?

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As for employment terms and conditions in general, if these have been agreed in the employment or other contract, they can be changed only by agreement. Validity of express contractual provision to vary the conditions depends on its structure and which conditions it concerns, and therefore there’s no generally applicable answer to the question.

The Labour Code further allows, in certain cases, a change in type of work, workplace, or employer by a temporary transfer of an employee to a different work position, workplace, or employer. Generally, consent is required; however, in certain cases, the employer can (and in very specific cases, has to) make a temporary transfer unilaterally (for example, if the employee is medically unfit to perform the agreed type of work, or to avert imminent danger). The employer must adhere to strict statutory conditions.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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As a rule, the employment agreement can only be amended by mutual agreement of the parties, with such amendments covering the duration of the contract, place of work, type of work, working conditions, salary or working time and rest time. However, certain aspects may be unilaterally decided by the employer (eg, the place of work may be unilaterally changed by the employer by delegating or seconding the employee to a place of work other than that provided for in the employment agreement or may temporarily change the place and manner of work, without the employee's consent and, in cases of force majeure, as a disciplinary measure or as a protective measure for the employee, subject to the legal provisions).

Last updated on 19/10/2023

28. Can an employment term be varied by implied conduct?

28. Can an employment term be varied by implied conduct?

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Czechia

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Yes, the employee and the employer may agree on certain changes and variations implicitly. However, it is recommended to avoid such situations.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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No, as per question 27, the mutual agreement of the parties is required.

Last updated on 19/10/2023

29. If agreement is required to vary an employment term, what are the company’s options if employees refuse to agree to the proposed change?

29. If agreement is required to vary an employment term, what are the company’s options if employees refuse to agree to the proposed change?

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Czech Republic

Czechia

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If agreement is required to vary an employment term or condition, then the only option to vary it is an agreement.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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Apart from the limited circumstances in which the employment agreement can be unilaterally amended by the employer (stated above), the employer has no other mechanisms available other than reaching an agreement with the relevant employee for the sought changes (naturally, aside from the dismissal options if, according to business needs, the position is made redundant).

Last updated on 19/10/2023

Areas to Watch

Areas to Watch

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Czech Republic

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The Czech parliament is currently debating several changes in the area of labour law. However, none of the currently debated changes should affect the answers above.

Last updated on 11/10/2023

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Romania

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It is envisaged that starting on 1 October 2023, the minimum monthly national gross salary will increase from 3,000 lei to 3,300lei (approximately from EUR 600 to EUR 660).

Last updated on 19/10/2023