Cyprus Employment Law: A Guide to Compliance and Dispute Resolution
Cyprus Employment Law: A Guide to Compliance and Dispute Resolution
Employment law is a crucial aspect of any country’s legal framework as it governs the relationship between employers and employees. Cyprus, like many other countries, has specific laws and regulations that employers must comply with to ensure they meet their obligations towards their employees. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to Cyprus employment law, focusing on compliance and dispute resolution.
Employment Contracts in Cyprus
In Cyprus, an employment contract is not required to be concluded in writing. However, employers must provide employees with a written statement of their terms and conditions of employment within one month of their start date, which should include certain information, such as the job title, pay, hours of work, and holiday entitlement. It is recommended to have a written contract to avoid disputes.
Working Hours and Overtime
The standard working week in Cyprus consists of 40 hours. The maximum weekly hours of work, including overtime, are capped at 48 hours. Employees are entitled to a minimum of 11 hours of rest per day. If the duration of the workday exceeds 6 hours, employees must be provided with a 15-minute break.
Employers are permitted to offer overtime, but they must pay at least one and a half times the normal hourly rate to their employees for the additional hours worked. The maximum amount of overtime an employee can work in a week is 12 hours, while the limit for overtime in a month is 48 hours.
Probation Period and Termination of Employment
The employment legislation has a provision for a minimum probation period of at least 26 weeks which may be extended up to 104 weeks. In the event of termination of employment during the probation period, there is no minimum notice period.
Annual Leave and Sick Pay
In Cyprus, employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave per year. If an employee has worked for an employer for less than a year, they are entitled to one day of leave per month worked. Employers must give employees two days’ notice for every day of annual leave they want them to take.
Employees are also entitled to sick leave, which is paid by the employer. If an employee is ill for up to three days, they are entitled to full pay. If they are ill for more than three days, they are entitled to half pay for up to 30 days.
Disciplinary Procedures
Employers in Cyprus have the right to take disciplinary action against employees who breach their employment contract or company policies. Disciplinary procedures should be clearly defined in the employment contract and company policies.
Employers should follow the ACAS Code of Practice when dealing with disciplinary matters. This involves providing the employee with a written statement of the alleged breach, holding a meeting to discuss the issue, allowing the employee to bring a colleague or trade union representative to the meeting, and giving the employee the right to appeal any decision made.
Dismissal Procedures
Employers must follow strict procedures when dismissing an employee. The reasons for dismissal must be clearly defined and should be in line with the employment contract and company policies.
If an employer dismisses an employee without following the correct procedures, the employee may be able to claim unfair dismissal. In this case, an employment tribunal may order the employer to pay compensation.
Dispute Resolution
Employment disputes can arise in any workplace. If an employee has a dispute with their employer, they should try to resolve the issue informally first. If this is not possible, the employee can raise a formal grievance with their employer.
If the grievance is not resolved, the employee can take the matter to an employment tribunal. Employers should ensure they have the correct documentation and evidence to support their case in this situation.