Working time flexibility is primarily ensured through implementing and allocating cumulative working time (or working time banking) when the actual working time schedule can be adjusted to the labour force requirement of companies/institutions.

If working time banking is applied, the maximum working hours (without overtime) within the banking period shall be calculated on the basis of the standard daily working time (eight hours) and standard work patterns (five working days a week). Public holidays falling on working days according to the standard work patterns as well as the duration of absence (for example due to training provided by the employer, compulsory health check, breast feeding, etc.) should not be taken into account. As regards the actual working time arrangement within the banking period, the employer should ensure that daily working time is not shorter than four hours, and not longer than 12 hours, including overtime. 

When working time is defined within the framework of working time banking, the beginning and ending date shall be specified in writing and made public by the employer.

The maximum duration of working time banking is four months/16 weeks.

The maximum duration of working time banking is six months/26 weeks in the case of employees:

• working in continuous shifts;
• working in shifts;
• employed for seasonal work;
• working in stand-by jobs; and
• in special jobs at aviation; road transport; carriers and traffic control; and harbours.

The maximum duration of working time banking if justified by technical reasons or reasons related to work organisation and if there is a collective agreement in place is 36 months.