Best Wage & Hour Lawyers in Marijampolė

About Wage & Hour Law in Marijampolė, Republic of Lithuania

Wage and hour rules in Marijampolė are set by the national Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania and apply uniformly across the country. These laws regulate minimum pay, working time, overtime, night work, rest periods, holidays, recordkeeping, and payment practices. European Union working time standards also inform Lithuanian rules. Collective agreements in certain sectors can add more beneficial terms for employees, but cannot lawfully reduce statutory protections.

Whether you work in manufacturing, logistics, retail, services, health care, education, agriculture, or the public sector in Marijampolė, you are generally protected by these standards. Employees and employers share responsibilities for complying with lawful schedules, overtime rules, and accurate pay. Disputes are first examined by the Labour Disputes Commission under the State Labour Inspectorate, and decisions can be appealed to the courts.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many wage and hour questions are straightforward, but legal support can be crucial when money, time limits, or your job are at stake. You may benefit from a lawyer if you face unpaid wages or bonuses, delayed salary, miscalculated overtime rates, unrecorded hours, denial of night or holiday pay supplements, unlawful deductions, or pay below the statutory minimum. Legal advice is also useful if you think you have been misclassified as an independent contractor, if you are on a summary working time schedule and suspect overwork without proper compensation, or if you experience retaliation after raising a wage complaint.

Other common triggers for seeking help include disputes over on-call time, travel time, standby at home versus at the workplace, changes to your schedule without notice, failure to provide required rest breaks, and wage issues connected to sick leave, maternity or paternity leave, or termination. A local lawyer can assess evidence, calculate what is owed, meet deadlines at the Labour Disputes Commission, and negotiate or litigate on your behalf.

Local Laws Overview

Who is covered. The Labour Code protects employees working in Lithuania, including in Marijampolė. Some rules differ for minors, pregnant employees, employees with recently given birth or breastfeeding, and night workers. Civil contractors are not employees, but misclassification risks are closely examined by authorities.

Minimum wage. The government sets a national minimum monthly wage and a minimum hourly rate, reviewed annually. Employers must pay at least the current minimum for full time work, with proportional pay for part time. Always check the current rates, as they change.

Working time. The standard full time schedule is typically up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Employers may use flexible arrangements such as summary working time, split shifts, or remote work, but must respect maximums and rest periods. Daily rest is generally at least 11 consecutive hours in a 24 hour period, and weekly uninterrupted rest is generally at least 35 hours.

Overtime. Overtime usually requires the employee’s consent and is limited by weekly and annual caps, with special rules for emergencies and certain sectors. Overtime must be paid at a premium rate or compensated with time off as permitted by law. The premium is at least 1.5 times the regular rate in most situations, with higher rates when overtime coincides with night work or public holidays.

Night work, weekends, and holidays. Night work is defined by law, commonly 22:00 to 06:00. Night work and work on weekly rest days or public holidays requires premium pay. Work on a public holiday is commonly paid at not less than double the regular rate, unless time off in lieu is granted as permitted by law and agreed.

Breaks and meal periods. Employees working a longer day must receive a meal or rest break, generally at least 30 minutes. Additional short breaks may apply in specific working conditions, such as for screen work or hazardous tasks.

Recordkeeping. Employers must keep accurate working time records and provide payslips that show hours worked, pay rates, taxes, social insurance contributions, and deductions. Employees should keep their own notes and copies of schedules, payslips, and communications.

Payment practices. Wages are paid in euros, typically monthly on a fixed payday set in the employment contract or workplace rules. Delays or shortfalls can trigger default interest and penalties. Final pay and compensation must be settled when employment ends. Only lawful deductions are permitted, such as taxes, social insurance, court ordered withholdings, or deductions expressly agreed within legal limits.

Special protections. Minors cannot work overtime or at night and have shorter maximum hours. Pregnant employees and employees who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding have restrictions on night and overtime work. Employees with disabilities may have tailored accommodations.

On call and standby. On call at the workplace is working time. Standby at home counts as working time only for the time actually spent performing work, but standby requirements must be reasonable and compensated according to law or the contract.

Collective agreements. Sectoral or company level collective agreements can set more favorable wage and hour terms. Employees covered by such agreements should review those rules alongside the Labour Code.

Disputes and deadlines. Most individual wage disputes must first go to the Labour Disputes Commission under the State Labour Inspectorate. Filing deadlines are short. For many claims the time limit is 3 months from when you learned or should have learned about the violation. Dismissal related deadlines can be shorter. Decisions can be appealed to court, typically within 1 month. Do not wait to file.

Enforcement. The State Labour Inspectorate investigates complaints and can impose fines or orders for compliance. The Guarantee Fund and other mechanisms may help when employers are insolvent, subject to eligibility rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as working time

Working time includes the period when you are performing your duties or are required to be at the workplace and available for work. Travel between job sites during the day and mandatory training is usually working time. Commuting from home to your usual workplace is generally not working time.

How often does the minimum wage change and how do I know the current rate

The national minimum monthly wage and hourly rate are reviewed by the government, typically annually. Employers must adjust pay when rates change. Check the latest official announcement or ask HR. A local lawyer or the State Labour Inspectorate can confirm the current figures.

What is the overtime pay rate in Lithuania

Overtime must be paid at a premium rate of at least 1.5 times the regular hourly rate in most cases. If overtime falls at night, on a weekly rest day, or a public holiday, higher multipliers may apply, such as not less than double for work on public holidays.

Can my employer require overtime

Overtime generally requires your consent, except in specific situations listed in the Labour Code such as emergencies or urgent work to prevent damage. Even then, legal limits and rest requirements still apply.

What are the daily and weekly limits on working hours

Standard full time is typically up to 8 hours per day and 40 per week. Under summary working time, daily and weekly hours can vary, but the average must respect legal maximums and minimum rest periods. Employers must ensure 11 hours daily rest and 35 hours weekly rest in most cases.

Do I get extra pay for night shifts or weekend work

Yes. Night work and work on weekly rest days or public holidays requires premium pay as set by the Labour Code or a collective agreement. Work on public holidays is generally paid at not less than double, or compensated with time off in lieu if allowed and agreed.

What should I do if my wages are delayed or unpaid

First, ask your employer in writing for immediate payment and an explanation. Keep copies. If not resolved, file an application with the Labour Disputes Commission under the State Labour Inspectorate within the applicable deadline. You may also be entitled to default interest and penalties.

How can I prove unpaid overtime

Collect payslips, schedules, timesheets, access logs, emails, messages assigning tasks, and your own detailed timesheet notes. Witness statements from colleagues can help. The employer must keep accurate working time records. Gaps in employer records can support your claim.

Can my employer change my schedule without notice

Changes must follow the contract, workplace policies, and the Labour Code. Significant changes often require notice and consultation. Even with flexible or summary schedules, employers must respect rest periods, maximums, and family care protections. Abrupt changes that cause unpaid standby or violate rest rules can be unlawful.

What are the deadlines to bring a wage claim

For most individual wage claims you must apply to the Labour Disputes Commission within 3 months from when you learned or should have learned about the violation. Dismissal related claims often have shorter limits. After the Commission decision, you can appeal to court within a short period, typically 1 month. Act quickly.

Additional Resources

State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania. Supervises labour law compliance, conducts inspections, provides guidance, and hosts the Labour Disputes Commission. Search for State Labour Inspectorate Lithuania or Valstybine darbo inspekcija.

Labour Disputes Commission. A pre court body handling individual labour disputes such as unpaid wages, overtime, and compensation. Applications are free and time limits are short.

Ministry of Social Security and Labour. Publishes labour policy updates, draft amendments, and guidance on working time and pay.

State Social Insurance Fund Board Sodra. Provides information on social insurance contributions and statements that can help verify reported wages and employer compliance.

Employment Service. Offers guidance for jobseekers and employers and may direct you to relevant labour law resources.

State Guaranteed Legal Aid Service. Provides primary and secondary legal aid to eligible individuals based on income and case type.

Trade unions and works councils. Sectoral unions and the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation LPSK can assist members with wage and hour issues and bargaining rights.

Marijampolė Municipality information services. Can direct residents to local legal aid, mediation, and community support resources.

Next Steps

Document everything. Save contracts, amendments, payslips, schedules, timesheets, emails, and messages about hours and pay. Keep a personal log of hours worked, including overtime, night shifts, and holiday work.

Raise the issue internally in writing. Ask HR or your manager to correct errors and pay any arrears by a specific date. Written requests help establish facts and deadlines.

Check deadlines. Most wage claims must be filed with the Labour Disputes Commission within 3 months. Do not wait. If you were dismissed, your deadline may be shorter.

Seek legal advice early. A Marijampolė based labour lawyer can evaluate your claim, calculate owed amounts including premiums and interest, prepare your application to the Labour Disputes Commission, and represent you in hearings or settlement talks.

Consider settlement. Many wage cases resolve through negotiation or mediation at the Commission. A lawyer can help you weigh offers against your best alternative and the evidence.

Protect yourself from retaliation. The law prohibits retaliation for good faith complaints. If adverse actions occur, document them and tell your lawyer immediately.

Stay informed. Verify the current minimum wage, overtime rules, and any collective agreement that applies at your workplace. Laws and rates change, usually annually.

Disclaimer. This guide provides general information about Lithuanian wage and hour rules as they apply in Marijampolė. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified lawyer.