Littler Global Guide - Hungary - Q4 2021

Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly updates   Download full Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly

Option of Obligatory COVID Vaccine for Employees

New Order or Decree

Author: Zoltan Csernus, Attorney-at-Law – VJT & Partners Law Firm

The government passed a decree which entitles the employer, as of November 1, 2021, to oblige its employees (considering the protection of health, nature and specifics of the working place and job position) to take the vaccine against COVID-19. The employer sets (even in an e-mail) the deadline of at least 45 days for the first vaccine shot. If the employee fails to comply, the employer is entitled to unilaterally send the employee to unpaid leave. (Exception: An exemption may apply if the employee presents a medical certificate that vaccination could be harmful for him / her.) If after one year of unpaid leave the employee is still unvaccinated, the employer is entitled to terminate the employment with immediate effect.

Obligatory Third COVID Vaccine Shot for Medical Personnel

New Order or Decree

Author: Zoltan Csernus, Attorney-at-Law – VJT & Partners Law Firm

The government amended Decree No. 449/2021 on obligatory vaccination of health service providers' employees against COVID-19. According to the amendment (decree No. 637/2021) persons already employed and who were vaccinated before 180 days, are obliged to get their third vaccine by December 10, 2021. All employees must receive a third vaccine within 180 days as from the receipt of their second vaccine shot. Those who fail to get the vaccine within the deadline will be ordered by their employer to do so within an additional 15 days. If the employee fails to comply, then the employer is obliged to terminate the employment with immediate effect, and no severance payment will be paid.

Increase to the Statutory Minimum Wage

New Order or Decree

Author: Zoltan Csernus, Attorney-at-Law – VJT & Partners Law Firm

The government’s new decree increased the statutory minimum wage by 19%. As of January 1, 2021, the statutory minimum wage for unskilled employees is HUF 200,000 (approximately EUR 554), while for the employees in job position requiring at least secondary school HUF 260,000 (approximately EUR 720).

Amendment of the Labor Code on Home Office Rules

New Order or Decree

Author: Zoltan Csernus, Attorney-at-Law – VJT & Partners Law Firm

The new statutory definition of home office includes the rule that the employee works a maximum 33% of the working time at the employer's office, but the parties can deviate from this rule in an agreement. The employer is entitled to calculate as cost the amount (equal to a maximum of 10% of the statutory minimum wage) paid to the employee as refund of home office costs.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.