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Employment contracts in Slovenia are either indefinite or for a fixed term. Fixed-term contracts may not be for longer than two years and are only allowed for legally recognized reasons such as work that will last for a definite and defined period, seasonal work or a few other situations. The fixed-term contract must state the reason for the fixed term.

Written contracts are the norm and are strongly recommended. Written employment contracts may be in any language as long as there is also a version in Slovenian. The employee must be given a draft contract at least three days before the planned signing date and must receive a copy of the final signed contract. The employment contract should state:

• the identities of the parties,

• the date the employee will begin work,

• the employee’s job title and a brief job description,

• the workplace,

• if the contract is for a fixed term, the length of the contract and the reason for its fixed term,

• whether the employee will work full- or part-time, and working hours,

• the employee’s basic salary, pay period, date and payment method, and any other salary components or payments,

• annual leave information,

• notice periods for terminating the contract, and

• information about collective agreements.

The standard work week in Slovenia is 40 hours over five days. The minimum number of hours for full-time work is 36, and they must be distributed over at least four days. Employees whose jobs are particularly dangerous may work less than 36 hours per week.

Overtime is allowed only when there is an urgent business need or an emergency that makes the extra work time absolutely necessary. An employer must give employees written notice of upcoming overtime, and it may not exceed eight hours per week, 20 hours per month, or 170 hours per year.

Night work may not exceed eight hours per day on average. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and minors may not work at night, and other classes of employees, particularly parents of young children and the elderly, may only work at night if they have agreed to do so.

In Slovenia, the public holidays are:

• New Year’s Holiday

• Slovenian Cultural Holiday

• Easter Monday

• Resistance Day

• Labor Day/May Day

• Statehood Day

• Assumption Day

• Reformation Day

• All Saints’ Day

• Christmas Day

• Independence and Unity Day

An employer may terminate an employee in Slovenia due to a business or economic reason such as redundancy, the employee being unable do their job, or misconduct. Notices of termination must be in writing and state the reason for the termination. The employer must give 15 to 80 days of notice, depending on the length of service.

Slovenia has a minimum wage. Many employees receive a 13th month’s salary at Christmas or shortly after the new year begins. “Jubilee” bonuses for the anniversary of an employee’s start with the employer and performance-based bonuses are sometimes paid.