1. Hours of work
Unless there are more favourable arrangements for workers, working hours per week cannot exceed 48 hours on average, including overtime hours. The average weekly working time is calculated on a 4 month basis. When calculating the average, the periods of paid annual leave and sick leave are not taken into account.
Working hours must be defined according to the applicable collective bargaining agreement or the agreement between the two parties, except for the categories of professions which are regulated by special legislation, and are the following:
- • For retail employees, the weekly working hours are 38 (maximum employment with overtime can reach up to 46 hours per week),
- • For clerks, messengers or general office employees, the weekly working hours are no more than 44 including overtime hours or 8 hours a day,
- • For workers of mines and quarries, the weekly working hours are up to 40 including overtime hours for work that is performed underground and 44 (including overtime) for work that is performed above ground.
For each 20 hour period, each worker is entitled to at least 11 continuous hours of rest. For each week, workers are entitled to a minimum continuous period of rest of 24 hours.
2. Paid annual leave
3. Time off
Time off in every undertaking/organisation is regulated in personal contracts, agreements or Collective Agreements. Employees in retail stores, hotels and leisure centres are an exception, for whom time off is regulated under special laws.
- For employees in retail stores, the following days shall constitute paid time off:
| 1 January | 1 April | 15 August |
| 2 January | Easter Sunday | 1 October |
| 6 January | Easter Monday | 28 October |
| Shrove Monday | 1 May | 25 December |
| 25 March | Whit Monday | 26 December |
It is noted that stores may open to serve the public on the holidays of Shrove Monday, 25 March, 1 and 28 October, while employees may work subject to their consent and to compensation for overtime at a rate of 1:2.
- For employees in hotels and leisure centres, the following days shall constitute paid time off:
| 1 January | Good Friday | 15 August |
| 6 January | Easter Sunday | 1 October |
| Shrove Monday | Easter Monday | 28 October |
| 25 March | 1 May | 25 December |
| 1 April | Whit Monday | 26 December |
In the event that an employee of a leisure centre works during a holiday, they will be compensated for overtime at a rate of 1:2.
In the event that an employee of a hotel works during a holiday, they shall be entitled to compensation beyond the normal daily wage of one additional daily wage, which they shall receive in cash or in time in lieu. Time in lieu shall be granted until the end of March of the next year and if it is not granted, it shall be compensated in cash.
4. Overtime
5. Termination of employment
In accordance with the law on the termination of employment, every employer and every employee must provide written notice of termination of the employment relationship, which shall be proportionate to their time of employment.
Where the employer terminates the employment relationship with the employee on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:
| Period of continuous employment | Minimum period of notice |
| From 0 to 26 weeks (up to 6 months) | No notice |
| From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year) | 1 week |
| From 52 to 103 weeks (1-2 years) | 2 weeks |
| From 104 to 155 weeks (2-3 years) | 4 weeks |
| From 156 to 207 weeks (3-4 years) | 5 weeks |
| From 208 to 259 weeks (4-5 years) | 6 weeks |
| From 260 to 311 weeks (5-6 years) | 7 weeks |
| From 132 weeks and more (6 years +) | 8 weeks |
Where the employee terminates the employment relationship with their employer on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:
| Period of continuous employment | Minimum period of notice |
| From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year) | 1 week |
| From 52 to 259 weeks (1-5 years) | 2 weeks |
| From 260 weeks and more (5 years +) | 3 weeks |
An exception is made for employees at
hotels and
leisure centres where the law provides for a period of notice even if an employee has been working for less than 6 months which shall be dependent on the period of employment.
6. Process for the submission of complaints for citizens of Cyprus and of Member States
7. Procedure for the submission of a complaint for employees from non-EU nationals
The complaint is initially submitted to the Regional Alien Unit of the Cyprus Police, it is stamped and then sent to one of the Regional Labour Relations Offices.
The competent officer will invite both parties to a joint meeting to examine the complaint.
