The Workers' Statute allows companies to modify work shifts, even after the initial schedule has been published. However, these changes must comply with clear legal limits and requirements to protect employees' rest and work-life balance.
The regulations permit companies to reorganize schedules when objective reasons exist, such as economic, technical, organizational, or production-related grounds. Simply citing "service needs" is insufficient; concrete justifications are required, like an unexpected increase in workload, covering temporary absences, or implementing new machinery.
The law distinguishes between occasional modifications and permanent changes. For irregular work hour distributions, companies can alter schedules by up to 10% of the annual working hours, with a minimum notice of five calendar days. If the change is substantial, such as moving from a fixed to a rotating shift, at least 15 days' notice is required.
These changes cannot be arbitrary or used as punishment. Modifications must respect minimum rest periods, including the 12 hours between shifts and the weekly rest mandated by legislation.
