After a successful job interview, a candidate is usually offered a verbal (in person or via phone) or written (via e-mail) job offer. However, a formal agreement only takes place after the employment contract is signed. Therefore, the guarantees provided by law come into force only from the moment of signing. There must be two signed copies of the employment contract (one for you, the other copy for the employer).

The most important advice is to never sign documents in a hurry. If you need time to read or study the document, or consult a lawyer, then do so. What should you know before signing a contract?

There are several types of the employment contract. The type must be indicated in the written document and reflect the agreement you have reached with the employer. Pay attention to this before signing the contract.

  • Permanent employment contract is an ordinary contract of employment that is not fixed-term;
  • Fixed-term contract is an employment contract signed for a certain period of time or for the performance of certain works;
  • Temporary work contract – when the work is performed for the benefit of a person specified by the temporary employment company (employer);
  • Apprenticeship contract is such a contract when the aim is to acquire the qualifications required for a job;
  • Project contract is a fixed-term employment contract to achieve a specific project result;
  • Job sharing – when two employees share a job;
  • Working for several employers – when the same job function is performed for several employers;
  • Seasonal work contract is an employment contract signed for seasonal work.

These minimum terms and conditions of employment must be agreed upon with your employer:

  • Functions (what kind of work you will do, what kind of duties you will have);
  • Payment (monthly salary or hourly wage);
  • Workplace (specific office, department);
  • Type of the employment contract;
  • Work schedule (length of a work day and work week, distribution of work time during the work week);
  • Start dates.

If you are going to take an unqualified job for 40 hours per week during work hours, the payment may not be lower than the minimum monthly salary or the minimum hourly wage set by the Government. For a qualified job, the payment must be higher than the minimum salary set by the Government.

  • Work without a contract is illegal. Even if you are accepted for a probationary period, an employment contract must be signed before the first working day.
  • If you work illegally, your employer may not pay you, and no one will reimburse you for medical expenses, because without an employment contract you are not protected by the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.
  • Before you start working, your employer must notify the State Social Insurance Fund Board (Sodra) at least 1 working day before the scheduled start of work. You can check if this is done on sodra.lt. When you log in, you will see your name at the top of the window. Click on it, then click "My policyholder (employer)". If the employer has notified Sodra about your employment, a new window will open, where you will see the name of the company and the agreed start of employment (the first working day).

You and the employer may agree on a probation period, in order to check whether you are suitable for the agreed job, as well as whether the agreed job is suitable for you. The probationary period may not exceed 3 months and it is prohibited to extend it.

If the results of the probation period do not satisfy the employer, they may decide to terminate the employment contract before the end of the probation by notifying you in writing 3 working days before the termination of the employment contract, without paying severance pay.

You can also terminate your employment contract during the probation period by notifying your employer in writing 3 working days in advance. This notice may be revoked no later than the next working day after its submission. If you submit such a notice and do not revoke it, your employment contract is terminated.

Before signing the employment contract, it is important to discuss with the employer what the main work tools are and whether they will be provided. According to Article 31 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Lithuania, the employer must provide the employee with the necessary work equipment or property. This means that if a computer or a car is needed to perform the job, it should be provided by the employer.

However, if, before signing the employment contract, both parties agree that the employee will use their assets to perform the work, then the employer is not obliged to provide those tools. In this case, compensation is paid to the employee for the use of their facilities or assets.

General requirements for concluding and executing an employment contract apply to employed students. However, there are some exceptions.

Working part-time

Considering that you are combining studies and work, you can agree to work part-time with your employer. Working part-time means working less than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. The condition for such work time may be included in the employment contract when you are hired (signing the employment contract) or later (making changes to the employment contract).

Your working hours are set by agreement between you and your employer (both must agree), but your employment rights will not be restricted compared to employees doing the same or equivalent work. For part-time work, you will be paid in proportion to the time worked or the work done.

 

Study leave

Upon submission of a note regarding the examinations and their dates, you will have a right to take the study leave of the foreseen duration. The employer, having assessed the purpose of such leave, will have to provide it:

  • To prepare for and to take an ordinary exam – 3 calendar days for each exam
  • To prepare for and to take tests – 2 calendar days for each exam
  • For laboratory work and consultation – as many days as it is indicated in your study plan and schedule
  • To complete and defend a (Bachelor's, Master's) thesis, doctoral dissertation, or art project – 30 calendar days.
    Annual vacation leave can be combined with learning needs

 


Free consultations:
State Labour Inspectorate

  • I-IV: 9–16, V: 9–15;
  • lunch break – from 12 h to 13 h

(+370 5) 213 9772 and Facebook.
You may also send electronic inquiries. The form can be found on the website www.vdi.lt