Position Of Businesses Improved

Substantial changes to the Slovak Labour Code, effective from 1 September 2011, have considerably strengthened employers' power.

Introduction

"Higher flexibility on the labour market and more employers willing to employ" could be the motto of the changes to the Slovak Labour Code, Act No. 311/2001 Coll. (Labour Code), which entered into force on 1 September 2011, based on the amendment to the Labour Code passed in July 2011 (Amendment). The labour market in Slovakia is expected to change substantially due to the Amendment since it significantly shifted the balance of rights and obligations in employment relationships in favour of employers. In addition to modifying most aspects of the labour law, the Amendment also introduced new legal concepts, such as the non-competition clause following the termination of the labour agreement.