Guide to Restructuring a Cross-Border Workforce
Contributing Editors
Choose countries
Choose questions
Choose the questions you would like answering, or choose all for the full picture.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Nicaraguan legislation does not cover the concept of redundancy. However, articles 38 and 39 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code allow for the collective suspension of employees for causes not attributable to the employer, among them the temporary closing of the company for technical or economic reasons.
Collective suspensions are subject to the following:
- parties will use their best efforts to reach a mutual agreement through a bipartisan committee made up of employees and their employer;
- it will be subject to the prior authorisation of the Ministry of Labour;
- the Ministry of Labour will issue a resolution within six days of receipt of the request for a collective suspension;
- if the collective suspension is authorised, employees will be paid the equivalent of six days’ wages; and
- workers will be reinstated once the causes for the suspension end, or the term granted for the suspension expires. Notice of reinstatement will be made through the Ministry of Labour.
02. In brief, what is the required process for making someone redundant?
02. In brief, what is the required process for making someone redundant?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law.
In addition to collective suspension, employees may be terminated at any time and effective immediately, without cause and subject to a severance payment, particularly:
- unpaid salaries, up to the termination date (may be made with immediate effect), if applicable.
- Christmas bonus, defined as an additional one month’s salary (including incentives, commissions and any amounts payable to employees) payable after a continuous year of employment, or pro rata, based upon the time worked. For termination, the Christmas bonus is paid proportionally, following the latest salary or, if variable, based on the highest salary during the last six months of employment.
- vacation – by law, all workers have the right to 15 days’ vacation time after a continuous term of six months’ work. Vacations are meant to be taken and not paid, except in cases of termination of the labour relationship. For terminations, accrued vacation time will be paid based on employees´ latest salary or, if variable, based on the average salary during the last six months of employment; and
- years of service:
- payment of one month's salary for each of the first three years of employment; and
- payment equivalent to 20 days salary for each year of employment, starting from the fourth year.
Severance pay is based on employees´ latest salary or, if variable, based on the average salary received during the last six months of employment.
Compensation shall not be less than the equivalent of one month´s salary, or more than the equivalent of five months’ salary. Parts of years worked are paid proportionately.
The above amounts must be paid within 10 days of the labour relationship ending.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law. As per question 2, workers may be suspended or terminated without cause.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law.
If a collective suspension were to be requested, the bipartisan committee would most likely include members of the union (if there is one). Existing collective bargaining agreements should also be reviewed to determine if union representatives must also be consulted.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law.
If a collective suspension were to be requested and the Ministry of Labour does not find sufficient evidence to grant it, it cannot be applied.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law, so no consultation process applies.
If a collective suspension were to be requested and the Ministry of Labor grants it, the following would apply:
- a formal request must be filed before the Secretariat of the Departmental Labor Inspector detailing the cause of the suspension, accompanies by supporting evidence, a list of employees to be suspended, their positions, the period of the suspension and the agreement of the parties to the bilateral committee mentioned above;
- provided the suspension request is complete (meets all the information required), a meeting among the parties will be convened, where the parties will try to reach an agreement to avoid a collective suspension;
- if no agreement is reached or is partially reached, the labour authority in charge of the process will request that the employer confirm his or her request and will also allow employees to make representations opposing the suspension;
- a final resolution will be issued within four working days after the meeting mentioned above. If the suspension is authorised, the resolution will indicate the length of the suspension. During this time, salaries will not be paid, but acquired rights and labour benefits (vacation, Christmas bonus and years of service) will continue to accumulate; and
- the decision of the labour authority can be appealed.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law, so no consultation process applies.
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)?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No consultation process is required, and consultation is not a market practice, whether it is a termination for cause or without cause.
Consultation would apply in cases of collective suspensions, as explained above.
09. Are there rules on the selection of individual employees for redundancy?
09. Are there rules on the selection of individual employees for redundancy?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No, redundancy is not regulated. Nonetheless, some employees cannot be dismissed, specifically:
- employees on vacation[1];
- pregnant employees, except with just cause approved by the Ministry of Labour; [2]
- employees on maternity leave, except with just cause approved by the Ministry of Labour[3];
- employees on sick leave[4]; and
- union board members.[5]
[1] Article 80 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code provides that employers cannot approve or give notice of actions against employees while on vacation, except for criminal actions.
[2] Ibid 6.
[3] Article 144 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code: “Pregnant workers or on maternity leave cannot be terminated, except for just cause previously determined by the Ministry of Labor.”.
[4] According to article 37 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code, the following situations are considered individual causes for suspension of the labor relationship: (a) worker´s disability derived from an accident or work related illness, not to exceed a twelve (12) months period, starting from the date on which disability occurs, ending on the date established by social security authorities or, before, if disability disappears and (b) common illness or non-related work accident which implies temporary disability for up to a period of twenty six (26) weeks, which may be extended for an additional term of twenty six (26) weeks.
[5] Article 231 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code provides that union board members can only be terminated with just cause and the prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Although redundancy is not regulated in Nicaragua, some employees cannot be terminated. Please see question 9.
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)?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Yes, there are. Please see question 9.
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.
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law.
If employees were to be terminated without cause, payment under question 2 would apply.
If a collective suspension is authorised by the Ministry of Labour, payment under question 1 would apply.
If employees were to be terminated with cause and with the prior authorisation of the Ministry of Labour, payment under question 2 would apply, except for years of service.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law. Employees can be terminated with or without cause, as indicated in question 2.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No. Redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law. Employers can request the collective suspension of employees before the Ministry of Labour, as indicated in question 9.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No. As redundancy is not regulated under Nicaraguan law, employers are not subject to this obligation.
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?
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated by Nicaraguan law, hence it is not a cause for termination. Termination must be made without cause (ie, not mentioning redundancy). Employees can file a claim before the Ministry of Labour and request his or her reinstatement if he or she believes termination violates labour regulations, restricts workers’ rights or is a reprisal for labour or union rights. Evidence of filing of a claim before the Ministry of Labour and its resolution is required for filing a claim before the court.
18. Is it common to use settlement agreements when making employees redundant?
18. Is it common to use settlement agreements when making employees redundant?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated by Nicaraguan law; hence it is not a cause for termination. If termination without cause were to be applied, employees may file a claim before the Ministry of Labour, where a conciliation process would be carried out.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated by Nicaraguan law.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Redundancy is not regulated by Nicaraguan law.
21. Is employee consultation or consent required for major transactions (such as business transfer, mergers, acquisitions, disposals or joint ventures)?
21. Is employee consultation or consent required for major transactions (such as business transfer, mergers, acquisitions, disposals or joint ventures)?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
The term “restructuring” in Czech law means one of the ways of resolving a company’s bankruptcy in insolvency proceedings. During this process, organisational changes including redundancies may occur. This kind of restructuring does not require unions’ consent; however, consultation may be required. Further, unions may represent the employees in insolvency proceedings.
In Czech law, “restructuring” within the meaning of a business transaction or corporate transformation or changes (i.e. not a type of insolvency proceeding) can also lead to transfer of rights and obligations from the employment relationship to another employer (transfer of undertakings), ie, the employee and their employment will be transferred to a new employer as a result of such transaction. In this case, the employer must inform the unions or other representatives (and if there are none, then the individual employees) and consult at least 30 days in advance:
- the effective date of the transfer;
- reasons for the transfer;
- legal, economic, and social consequences of the transfer for the employees; and
- measures to be taken in relation to the employees.
In case of cross-border mergers or spin-offs, the employer also must: (i) inform the employees or unions of their right to get acquainted with the written merger or spin-off project and give written comments on it; and (ii) generally reach agreement with unions regarding the extent and manner of the right of influence of the employees of the successor corporation (for example, in certain cases by electing a certain number of members of supervisory board in a joint stock company) if the seat of the newly formed entity is supposed to be in the Czechia. Further corporate obligations depend on the form of such restructuring.
However, the described labour law obligations don’t apply in the case of mere ownership change of the employer’s company where this has no direct legal implications for the employees (ie, it isn’t a transfer of undertaking or a termination reason).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No, it is not.
A substitution of the employer may take place, in which case notice would be given to the transferred employees.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Not applicable. Consultation is not required.
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)?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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).
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
If an employer changes, employees must be transferred through an employer substitution agreement.
Please see question 9 for a list of employees who cannot be dismissed.
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)?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
An employer substitution agreement must be executed between the current and new employers. A notice of substitution must be given to employees.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
No, there are not.
Article 6 of the Nicaraguan Labor Code only provides that employer substitution does not affect existing labour relationships and the new employer will be jointly liable with the former employer for six months.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Employers can reduce hours, but not salary. Benefits could be reduced if the policy granting them allows the employer to do so discretionally.
Employer and employee may agree in writing to a salary reduction
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Employment rights granted by the Nicaraguan Constitution of the Labor Code cannot be modified via an employment agreement.
28. Can an employment term be varied by implied conduct?
28. Can an employment term be varied by implied conduct?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
Yes, the employee and the employer may agree on certain changes and variations implicitly. However, it is recommended to avoid such situations.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Yes, but only if it results in a more beneficial treatment of employees.
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?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
If agreement is required to vary an employment term or condition, then the only option to vary it is an agreement.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Employment rights granted by the Nicaraguan Constitution of the Labor Code cannot be modified via an employment agreement.
30. What are the potential legal consequences if an employer varies an employment term unilaterally?
30. What are the potential legal consequences if an employer varies an employment term unilaterally?
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
If varied unilaterally in a case where agreement was required, the employee may challenge the variation (depending on the situation, by demanding the employer to: refrain from such conduct, restore the original terms, or compensate the employee for the damage caused by such conduct). Depending on the situation there could also be a risk of administrative penalties.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
The employee will file a claim for reinstatement before the Ministry of Labour alleging that the termination violates labor regulations.
Areas to Watch
Areas to Watch
Czechia
Czechia
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
- at Legalité
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.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- at Arias
Not applicable.