The form of employment is specified in the employment contract

The type of your employment relationship affects your notice of termination and the termination of employment, as well as your working time and holidays. It also affects what happens if you become ill.  

The employment contract determines the form of employment. Employment contracts should always be made in writing. 

What you should know about employment contracts

Permanent employment

A permanent or indefinite employment relationship is an employment relationship in which the end date has not been specified. Such employment contracts are valid until they are terminated by the employer or the employee. Notice periods apply to the termination of employment contracts.  

Full-time employment

Full-time employment or full-time work means that work is done throughout the working day, usually five days a week. The maximum working time is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Full-time work usually means 7.5 hours per day and 37.5 hours per week. In full-time period work the working time is 120 hours during three-week period or 80 hours during two-week period.

Fixed-term employment

A fixed-term employment contract is valid until the fixed-term period expires or the agreed work is completed. The employer and the employee agree on the end date or the task at the beginning of the employment relationship. 

A fixed-term employment contract can be made without a justified reason if it is the first employment relationship between the employer and the employee, or if at least five years have passed since their previous employment relationship ended.

A fixed-term contract made without a justified reason can last for up to one year. After that, the employment relationship can continue either as a permanent contract or as another fixed-term contract, but in that case there must be a justified reason for using a fixed-term contract.

An employer cannot use repeated fixed-term contracts to keep an employee continuously doing the same work on a fixed-term basis. Fixed-term contracts must also not be made, or refused, on discriminatory grounds.

As a rule, neither party – the employer or the employee – cannot terminate a fixed-term contract. A fixed-term contract ends when the fixed-term period expires. The premature termination of an employment contract may even result in liability for damages. If you want to terminate a fixed-term employment contract as an employee, the best way is to discuss the matter with the employer and try to agree on the procedures jointly.   

Please note: The Employment Contracts Act changed on 1 June 2026. Before the change in the law, a fixed-term employment contract always required a justified reason, such as covering for another employee or carrying out a project or assignment that lasted for a limited period.

Part-time employment 

Part-time employment or part-time work means that you only work part of the working day or part of the work week. In part-time employment, there is less work than in full-time employment. 

If you are a part-time employee, you have the right to extra hours. This means that if your employer needs more employees, you must be offered extra hours before your employer can hire new employees.  

Let your employer know if you want to work more hours than what is stated in your employment contract. 

Temporary agency work 

In temporary agency work, the employer leases their employees to work for another employer. A company that needs more workforce enters into an agreement with a staff leasing agency. In a staff leasing employment relationship, there are always three parties: the employee, the staff leasing agency and the company.  

The employee enters into an employment contract with the staff leasing agency. The staff leasing agency serves as the employer for the employee.

Apprenticeship training  

Apprenticeship training is a form of training arising from the needs of working life. The employer and the student enter into a fixed-term employment contract. During apprenticeship training, the student is paid wages and gains work experience in addition to training. Most of the learning takes place in the workplace.  

Entrepreneurship 

An entrepreneur is person who engages in economic activities on her or his own account and under her or his own responsibility. An entrepreneur is responsible for her or his social security and pension contributions. A sole proprietor who earns a living without an employment relationship is also called self-employed or a freelancer.  

Read also

• Employment contract
• End of employment