Working schedules in Kazakhstan: Peculiarities and application

In Kazakhstan, there are various formats for organizing working time, which are adapted to the specifics of the industry and the needs of employees. Each of them has its own advantages and limitations, allowing for effective regulation of the work process.​

This variant of work organization involves changing working days and their duration depending on production needs. This format is particularly common in areas where fixed working hours cannot be established, such as in retail, transportation, or enterprises with 24-hour service. 

When using a rolling schedule, a shift may not exceed 11 hours, and the reference period during which the standard number of working hours must be met is limited to a quarter. If it becomes necessary to engage employees in overtime work, it must not exceed 12 hours per month or 120 hours per year.

This option gives employees the opportunity to independently determine the start and end times of the working day within a set framework. The employer, in turn, fixes a certain number of mandatory hours when the employee must be present at the workplace, and the rest of the time remains flexible. 

Such a schedule is especially useful for those who seek to combine professional activities with personal affairs. For example, the main time can be set from 10:00 to 16:00, and the employee can decide when to start and finish work within additional time slots – from 7:00 to 10:00 in the morning or from 16:00 to 19:00 in the evening.

In a continuous production or 24-hour service environment, shift scheduling is the best solution. It involves alternating shifts in a predetermined order, which allows companies to keep operations running smoothly. 

An important part of this format is the observance of rest periods between shifts to avoid overloading employees. One of the common variants of shift schedules is the “2 in 2” mode, when an employee works two days and then gets two days off. Depending on the specifics of production, other options are also possible, such as four days of work followed by four days of rest.

This mode is used in enterprises located in remote areas where it is impossible to return home on a daily basis. A shift schedule implies that employees work for a certain period of time (e.g. 10, 14 or 28 days), followed by a similar period of rest. 

Shifts of shift workers may last from 7:00 to 19:00, and working conditions require special control over compliance with occupational health and safety standards. Such a regime is often used in the mining industry, construction and other spheres related to remote facilities.

The organization of working time directly affects the productivity of employees and the efficiency of the company. Strict adherence to the established schedule helps to avoid overloading the staff, minimize the risks of overtime and ensure fair distribution of working time. 

Regardless of the type of schedule, the employer is obliged to take into account the rights of employees, provide them with rest time and ensure compliance with labor laws. A special category of persons who are prohibited from working under the conditions of summarized working time. These include minors, as well as employees with a first-group disability and persons with a second or third group of disabilities, if medical reports contain relevant restrictions.

Thus, the use of different schedule formats allows you to adapt your workflow to the needs of both the business and the employees themselves, creating an environment for productive and balanced work.