New Ukrainian Labor Laws Take Effect: Driving Hour Limits and Digital Sick Leave

Ukraine's Labor Code Updated with Key Changes for Drivers and Sick Leave

According to ХВИЛЯ: Significant amendments to Ukraine's labor legislation came into force in July 2023, introducing new regulations for professional drivers and a shift to electronic sick leave certificates. These reforms are part of a broader digital transformation of the country's labor market. The key changes involve stricter rules on drivers' working hours and rest periods, alongside a completely revised procedure for issuing sick notes, which will be fully implemented by April 1, 2026.

Effective July 26, 2023, new provisions govern the working and rest time for drivers, applying to salaried employees, individual entrepreneurs, and drivers working under civil contracts. A major new rule prohibits drivers from taking their mandatory weekly rest period inside the vehicle's cabin. Furthermore, night work between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM is now limited to a maximum of 10 hours. It is important to note that tachograph requirements and these specific time restrictions do not apply to vehicles used by security, defense, emergency, and rescue services, as well as for agricultural and municipal transport.

Revised Sick Leave Procedures and Changes to Employee Deferment Rules

Regarding medical leave, an updated electronic issuance system will launch on April 1, 2026. Sick leave documents will be generated almost exclusively in digital form. Officials from the Pension Fund of Ukraine will be responsible for verifying the legitimacy of issued sick notes. If violations are found, the Pension Fund will demand the repayment of any insurance benefits paid out, which must be settled within 10 days. As noted by Tetiana Sholkova,

"The responsibility for an unjustified sick leave lies with the doctor, whether they work in a medical institution or as a private entrepreneur."

Separately, the government has simplified the conditions for deferring employees from military service at critically important enterprises. For weapons manufacturers, decisions by the Ministry of Defense will no longer specify a precise number of reservists to be deferred. Companies that produce or repair transformers have gained the right to defer 100% of their eligible workers. The Cabinet of Ministers has also reduced the number of criteria required for a company to be deemed critically important from three to two.

Ukraine has also launched an experimental project called 'Horizon,' aimed at digitizing employment relations. When labor relations are formalized electronically through this system, standard notifications-such as those for hiring or dismissal-are generated and transmitted automatically using an application programming interface (API).

Meanwhile, the State Labor Service is preparing for new inspections regarding the employment of persons with disabilities. Employers must be notified in writing of a planned inspection no later than 10 days before it begins. The maximum duration of such an inspection is set at 10 working days, or 5 days for small businesses.

These legislative changes are expected to significantly impact the daily operations of drivers and medical professionals, as well as the overall sick leave administration process. The digital innovations are intended to reduce corruption risks and improve oversight of labor standard compliance. The reforms reflect a clear trend toward the digitalization of labor relations in Ukraine, which could enhance business efficiency. The new rules affect not only the commercial sector but also social aspects, such as safeguarding the employment rights of persons with disabilities.