Can an Employer Change Your Work Schedule Without Notice?

Can an employer change your work schedule without notice? Understanding your rights and what to do in such situations is crucial for employees.

The work schedule is specified in the employment contract and changing it without the employee’s consent is prohibited. If the employer changes the work schedule on his own initiative.

Can Your Employer Change Your Schedule Without Notice?

While employment laws typically require employers to provide notice of schedule changes, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if there is a sudden and unexpected event that requires immediate schedule changes, such as a natural disaster or a sudden increase in workload, your employer may be able to change your schedule without notice.

If the employee does not agree with the change in work schedule, the employer must offer him another job. If the employee is not satisfied with the proposed work options, the employer has the right to fire him.

Does the law allow employers to change work schedules?

The fundamental possibility of changing the approved working hours regime is enshrined in Article 100 of the Labor Code.The possibility of changing the work schedule is provided for by Article 72 and Article 74 of the Labor 

Thus, the employer has the right to unilaterally change the work schedule only if there are organizational and technological prerequisites for this in the company’s activities.

What should an employee do if he does not agree with the change in schedule?

The employee’s ability to defend his/her desire to keep the previous schedule depends on whether the employer has complied with all legal procedures. If the employer uses Article 74 of the Labor Code of t and has fulfilled all the conditions (promptly notified the team, offered vacancies, etc.), then it will not be possible to refuse the new schedule.

For violation of employees’ labor rights, the employer faces administrative liability under Article 5.27 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. For the first violation, this is a warning or a fine.