Can I refuse overtime in Czechia?
Within the statutory limit no, beyond it yes. An employer may order overtime only for serious operational reasons, and only up to 8 hours a week and 150 hours a year — inside that range, refusing counts as unexcused absence. Anything above 150 hours a year needs your agreement; even then the absolute ceiling is an average 8 hours a week across the reference period (26 or 52 weeks). Overtime pays your achieved wage plus at least a 25 % supplement of average earnings, or compensatory time off. Two traps: a contract saying wages already account for overtime covers only 150 hours a year for regular staff, and on a part-time contract work up to 40 hours a week isn't overtime at all — it is extra work with no supplement.
📋 The rules
- Ordered overtime: max 8 h/week, 150 h/year — can't be refused within limits
- Above 150 h/year: only with consent
- Absolute cap: average 8 h/week over the 26/52-week reference period
- Pay: wage + min. 25 % supplement, or time off
- Pregnant employees and parents of children under 1: overtime can't be ordered
🔓 Exceptions
- Wages may contractually include overtime (regular staff max 150 h/yr, managers up to 416 h)
- DPP/DPČ agreements: extra hours only by agreement
- Part-time: hours up to the 40-hour week are extra work, not overtime carrying the 25 % supplement
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unpaid overtime is an employer debt: you can claim it 3 years back with default interest, long after you have left the job. Breaching the limits brings Labour Inspectorate fines up to CZK 1,000,000, and up to CZK 2,000,000 for working-time violations. The costliest trap is paperwork: if nobody logs the hours, the burden of proving them is yours — so keep your own record of hours worked, plus emails and chat messages. And a clause saying your wage accounts for overtime does not strip you of the supplement for hours above 150 a year.
📎 Official sources
- Labour Ministry handbook · Overtime work (CS) →
- Pracomat · Labour Code § 93 (CS) →
- Money.cz · When overtime can be ordered (CS) →
❓ Frequently asked
My boss ordered Saturday work. Must I come?
Yes, if that week's 8 ordered hours and the yearly 150-hour cap aren't exhausted and there is a serious operational reason. Without all three conditions it is only a request, and you may decline it without any penalty.
What do I get for overtime?
Your achieved wage plus a supplement of at least 25 % of average earnings. Compensatory time off may replace the supplement, but only by agreement — it cannot be imposed on you, and refusing it keeps the supplement due.
My salary includes overtime. Legal?
Only where the contract expressly says so, and for regular employees it covers at most 150 hours a year (managers up to 416). Above that limit the 25 % supplement falls due again, whatever the contract claims.
Who can never be ordered overtime?
Pregnant employees can never be ordered to work overtime, and the same protection covers employees caring for a child under 1. They may only agree to it voluntarily, and refusing is no breach of their duties.
Does overtime apply on part-time contracts?
Not the way most people expect: hours above your part-time load up to 40 a week count as extra work, paid at your ordinary rate with no supplement. Real overtime with the 25 % supplement starts only above the full statutory week.
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