In today's dynamic work environment, more and more people are seeking information about specific working time systems, especially in industries where flexibility and efficiency are crucial. The equivalent working time system is one option that may address these needs. Is it worth considering the introduction of equivalent working time?
What is the equivalent working time system and how does it work?
Equivalent working time allows for adjusting working hours to the current needs of the company, which can be extremely useful in industries such as manufacturing, trade, or transport. In practice, this means that an employee can work longer on one day, for example, 12 hours, but in return, on another day, they work shorter hours or have a day off.
From a legal perspective, the equivalent working time system is regulated by the provisions of the Labor Code. Employers can introduce it as long as they provide employees with an adequate number of days off and adhere to rest norms – at least 11 hours between shifts and 35 hours per week.
Imagine you work in a manufacturing company where periods of increased demand occur at the end of the month. During this time, you might work 12 hours a day for three consecutive days, but as a result, you gain a longer weekend, allowing for better recovery. This model is ideal where flexibility and adaptation to changing work conditions are necessary.
Can you work 16 hours in the equivalent working time system?
Yes. Working 16 hours in the equivalent working time system is possible, although it pertains to specific situations. Standardly, the equivalent system allows for extending the daily working time to 12 hours. However, in certain circumstances, such as work related to monitoring equipment or being partially on standby for work, this limit can be increased to 16 hours within a given settlement period not exceeding 1 month.
Can you work 24 hours in the equivalent working time system?
Yes, the daily working time can be as much as 24 hours, but only in specific cases:
- when guarding property;
- when protecting people;
- for employees of on-site fire services;
- for employees of on-site rescue services;
In such situations, the settlement period is a maximum of 1 month.
However, it is important to remember that 24-hour shifts cannot follow one another directly – after such a long shift, the employee must receive adequate rest time.
Equivalent working time system – what is the settlement period?
In the equivalent working time system, the standard settlement period is 1 month, but there is a possibility of extending it in specific situations.
For example, in industries where work is dependent on weather conditions, such as construction or agriculture, this period can be extended to as much as 4 months. In other justified cases, such as project work or production, the settlement period can be up to 3 months.
Are there overtime hours in the equivalent working time system?
Calculating overtime hours in different working time systems can be complicated, and in the equivalent system, it differs from the standard 8-hour workday model.
In a typical system, overtime is calculated after exceeding 8 hours of work per day. In the equivalent system, the situation is different – overtime does not automatically accrue after exceeding 8 hours, as this system allows for a more flexible work schedule.
One day an employee may work 6 hours, and the next day 12 – and this will not be considered overtime, as long as it fits within the established schedule. Only exceeding the allowed limit, e.g., 12, 16, or 24 hours, leads to the accrual of overtime. An important factor is also the average weekly working time norm, the exceeding of which also results in the accrual of additional hours. Therefore, when calculating overtime, it is worth considering the overall distribution of working time in a given settlement period, not just individual days.
When can the equivalent working time system be introduced?
You can introduce the equivalent working time in your workplace if it is justified by the type of work or organizational reasons. Importantly, this system works well in combination with shift work, weekend work, or individual work schedules. This solution allows for better adjustment of the schedule to the needs of both employees and employers.
In the gastronomy industry, where traffic can be uneven, equivalent working time allows for effective staff management during peak hours. In retail, it allows for better utilization of employees during sales periods or the pre-holiday shopping rush. This system also works well in on-site rescue services or property protection.
How to introduce the equivalent working time system?
Introducing the equivalent working time system in a company requires a thoughtful procedure. First of all, this decision must be reflected in documents, e.g., in the work regulations, collective labor agreement (in agreement with trade unions), or announcement (in cases where the establishment is not covered by a collective labor agreement).
Important tip for employers: Changes in the organization of working time cannot be arbitrary. Procedures must be followed, while also ensuring that employees are fully informed about the changes being introduced and their consequences. You can read more about change management in the article: Change Management.
Equivalent Working Time System - Rules
Implementing an equivalent working time system in practice can be crucial for companies that require flexible management of working hours, such as industries with seasonal production increases. This system can be introduced at virtually any time, provided the appropriate procedures are followed—the key is to include these changes in the work regulations or the collective labor agreement.
Tip: The work regulations require detailed provisions that define the rules of its operation. It is especially important to include:
- the number of employees covered by the system;
- the number of working hours on particular days;
- the time needed to balance daily working time excesses;
- the number of adopted accounting periods for working time;
How many working hours in the equivalent system?
The equivalent working time system allows for flexible adjustment of the working day length to the needs of the enterprise, but there are specific time limits that must be observed.
Maximum working time:
- Daily: An employee can work up to 12 hours in one day.
- Weekly: The average weekly working time, including overtime, must not exceed 48 hours in the adopted accounting period.
Imagine a warehouse worker during the busy pre-Christmas period. For three consecutive days, they work 12-hour shifts to meet increased demand. In return, they have more free time or shorter shifts in the following days, allowing them to maintain a work-life balance.
Important! It should be remembered that employees are entitled to 35 hours of uninterrupted weekly rest, which is a legal requirement aimed at ensuring adequate time for recovery.
Can you work 3 consecutive days for 12 hours each?
Yes, this is possible if the employer properly plans the schedule and ensures that the employee has time to recover in the following days. This allows the employee to accumulate working hours and then enjoy longer time off, which can be a significant advantage of this system.
How to arrange a work schedule in the equivalent working time system?
The equivalent working time system requires careful planning, including the mandatory creation of a work schedule. The schedule should cover at least one month and be provided to employees at least one week before the start of work. This is not just a formality—an appropriately planned schedule helps avoid misunderstandings and supports smooth workflow.
Planning a schedule compliant with the Labor Code is often a challenge, especially when you need to consider numerous regulations regarding working hours, breaks, and rest periods. Modern tools like Proplanum come to the rescue. This intuitive application automates the creation of schedules, saving time and minimizing the risk of errors.
Proplanum automatically checks if the set schedule meets the requirements of the Labor Code, from working hours to rest periods and shift work rules. This helps you avoid violations of regulations, which could lead to legal consequences or financial penalties. Additionally, Proplanum supports employers in daily work time management, protecting the company from costly mistakes and ensuring compliance with regulations without extra effort.
Chapters:
