COUNTRY

Employment contracts in Slovenia are either indefinite or for a fixed term. Fixed-term contracts may not be for longer than two years and are only allowed for legally recognized reasons such as work that will last for a definite and defined period, seasonal work or a few other situations. The fixed-term contract must state the reason for the fixed term.

Written contracts are the norm and are strongly recommended. Written employment contracts may be in any language as long as there is also a version in Slovenian. The employee must be given a draft contract at least three days before the planned signing date and must receive a copy of the final signed contract. The employment contract should state:

• the identities of the parties,

• the date the employee will begin work,

• the employee’s job title and a brief job description,

• the workplace,

• if the contract is for a fixed term, the length of the contract and the reason for its fixed term,

• whether the employee will work full- or part-time, and working hours,

• the employee’s basic salary, pay period, date and payment method, and any other salary components or payments,

• annual leave information,

• notice periods for terminating the contract, and

• information about collective agreements.

The standard work week in Slovenia is 40 hours over five days. The minimum number of hours for full-time work is 36, and they must be distributed over at least four days. Employees whose jobs are particularly dangerous may work less than 36 hours per week.

Overtime is allowed only when there is an urgent business need or an emergency that makes the extra work time absolutely necessary. An employer must give employees written notice of upcoming overtime, and it may not exceed eight hours per week, 20 hours per month, or 170 hours per year.

Night work may not exceed eight hours per day on average. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and minors may not work at night, and other classes of employees, particularly parents of young children and the elderly, may only work at night if they have agreed to do so.

Employees receive a month of paid sick leave in Slovenia during which the employer pays a portion of the employee’s salary. If the employee is absent because of a work-related illness or accident, the employer pays 100% of their wages. The employee should notify the employer as soon as possible and present a medical certificate. The employer pays the employee for 30 to 120 days, depending on the circumstances. After this time, the employee will receive a social security benefit until they either return to work or are declared disabled and their employment is terminated. The amount of the social security payment depends on several factors.

Female employees receive 105 days of paid maternity leave in Slovenia, beginning 28 days before the due date. They must take a minimum of 15 days of leave. The mother, if she is eligible, receives a social security maternity benefit determined using a base amount calculated from past social security contributions. The amount paid will be between 55% of a base minimum salary and twice the average monthly salary in Slovenia.

Fathers receive 30 days of paid paternity leave in Slovenia. The first 15 days must be taken in the first six months of the child’s life, while the remaining 15 may be used any time before the child finishes first grade. Each parent receives 130 days of parental leave to care for a child. The mother may transfer up to 100 days to the father, while the father may transfer his entire allocation to the mother.

Parental leave is longer in cases of multiple births, premature births, and children who require special care. Employees who adopt a child receive up to 130 days of leave, beginning no later than 15 days after the child is placed with the family, and which can be taken until the child has completed their first year of school.

Slovenia has a minimum wage. Many employees receive a 13th month’s salary at Christmas or shortly after the new year begins. “Jubilee” bonuses for the anniversary of an employee’s start with the employer and performance-based bonuses are sometimes paid.

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave in Slovenia. Employees who are 55 or older, who are disabled or who are caretakers for a disabled child receive three extra days. Collective bargaining agreements may grant additional leave to employees covered by the agreement. An employer may require that an employee use at least two weeks of leave in the current calendar year. Employees also receive up to seven days of paid personal leave for events such as family weddings, births, and deaths.

In Slovenia, the public holidays are:

• New Year’s Holiday

• Slovenian Cultural Holiday

• Easter Monday

• Resistance Day

• Labor Day/May Day

• Statehood Day

• Assumption Day

• Reformation Day

• All Saints’ Day

• Christmas Day

• Independence and Unity Day

Slovenia has national health insurance. Many Slovenians buy additional health insurance from private insurers to ensure access to care beyond what the national plan provides.

An employer may terminate an employee in Slovenia due to a business or economic reason such as redundancy, the employee being unable do their job, or misconduct. Notices of termination must be in writing and state the reason for the termination. The employer must give 15 to 80 days of notice, depending on the length of service.