New Labor Code: what will change for employees after martial law
Ukraine is preparing a new Labor Code aimed at replacing the outdated Labor Laws Code. This document legalizes flexible forms of employment, introduces mechanisms to protect employees from mobbing and discrimination, and also contains new rules for terminating employment relations. The norms of the new code will come into force six months after the cancellation or termination of martial law.
Main changes of the new Labor Code
Among the main changes envisaged by the new Labor Code is the legalization of flexible forms of employment. This will allow adjusting the terms of employment contracts to the individual needs of employees and employers. The relevant ministry notes that the document 'allows combining the terms of employment contracts by mutual agreement of the parties.'
- Clear specification of employees' rights to remote and home-based work.
- Defining conditions for payment and rest outside the office.
- Introduction of flexible schedules to adapt working time to the needs of students, parents with small children, and people with disabilities.
- Legal registration of project and seasonal employment.
The Code also creates conditions for protecting employees from negative phenomena in the workplace. It requires employers to establish internal procedures for handling complaints about mobbing and harassment, as well as to respond promptly to instances of discrimination. Importantly, the document provides for ensuring an objective investigation of incidents based on facts, not rumors.
'The new Labor Code will be an important step in reforming labor legislation in Ukraine, considering the modern challenges related to war and mass migration of the population.'
The introduction of the new Labor Code is part of a broader reform aimed at adapting Ukrainian legislation to the new economic and social conditions. The planned changes may significantly affect the labor market by fostering the development of new forms of employment and improving working conditions. In the context of post-war recovery, it is particularly important to ensure the rights of employees and create a safe working environment, which could positively impact the economic stability of the country.