Absences and obstacles at work in 2025: clearly explained and in accordance with the law

Sometimes you simply have to step away from your desk – to see a doctor, take your child to an examination, go for a blood test, attend a wedding, or sadly, a funeral. The Czech Labour Code and government regulations clearly state when your employer must let you go and when they are also required to pay wage compensation. Here’s an overview for 2025 – straightforward and backed by official regulations.

1. Doctor’s visit during working hours (absence permit)

Visit your doctor outside of working hours whenever possible. If that’s not feasible, it is considered an obstacle at work on the employee’s side, and you are entitled to time off for the necessary duration — usually with wage compensation equal to your average earnings, provided the legal conditions are met (reasonable choice of healthcare provider, accessibility, and necessity of the medical procedure).

For the first occurrence, we can simply refer to it as an *absence permit* (confirmation from a healthcare provider). The law does not require any specific form. A standard confirmation from the healthcare provider is usually sufficient; the detailed procedure is determined by the company’s internal policy or HR system.

Key conditions for the absence permit to be paid:

• The examination or treatment took place at a medical facility contracted with your health insurance provider.
• It is the nearest suitable facility to your home or workplace capable of providing the required care.
• The appointment could not be scheduled outside of working hours.

What counts as “the necessary time”?
It includes the examination or treatment itself, waiting time, and travel to and from the facility. The law does not specify an exact duration — it is assessed based on real circumstances.

In practice:

• Inform your employer about the appointment as early as possible and in advance.
• Choose a reasonably accessible provider (the nearest suitable one).
• Have the time and purpose of the visit confirmed (stamp/signature from the medical facility).

Accompanying a family member to the doctor

If accompanying a family member is necessary and the appointment cannot take place outside working hours, you are entitled to time off for the necessary duration, up to a maximum of one day.

With wage compensation: applies when accompanying a spouse, registered partner, child, parent, grandparent, or the same circle of relatives on the spouse’s side. (Note: if you are entitled to caregiver’s allowance, you are not eligible for wage compensation for accompanying someone.)

Without wage compensation: applies when accompanying other close persons.
The legal basis is Annex to Government Regulation No. 590/2006 Coll., point 8.

In practice:

• Request confirmation that your presence as an escort was necessary (a brief note from the doctor is enough).
• State whom you are accompanying and confirm that you are the only accompanying person (the entitlement applies to only one family member).

3. Blood, plasma, and other biological material donation

Donation is considered an act in the public interest. You are entitled to paid time off for the time needed to travel to the donation site, undergo the donation, return, and recover — provided these activities overlap with your working hours:

• Blood donation / apheresis: within 24 hours from the start of the trip to the donation site (or a longer, medically justified period).
• Other biological materials: similarly, but with limits of 48–96 hours, depending on the nature of the donation and the doctor’s assessment.

If the donation does not take place, you are entitled to paid leave only for the time proven as necessarily required.
Legal basis: Section 203(2)(d) and (e) of the Labour Code + methodology of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MPSV).

Attention: Plasma centers offering a flat “reward” may not qualify as unpaid (voluntary) donation. In such cases, it might not be a protected act under Section 203(2)(d) of the Labour Code. Always check internal company policy and current practice.

In practice:

• Obtain confirmation from the transfusion center (date/time of start, type of donation).
• If recovery takes longer, ask your doctor to include the recommended recovery time.

4.Wedding: how much leave and what is paid

For your own wedding, you are entitled to 2 days off, one of which is for attending the ceremony; wage compensation is provided for 1 day only.
A parent is entitled to 1 paid day off for their child’s wedding, and a child is entitled to 1 unpaid day off for their parent’s wedding.
(Legal basis: Government Regulation No. 590/2006 Coll., Annex, point 5.)

5. Death in the family and funeral: rules + update for 2025

Paid leave according to Government Regulation No. 590/2006 Coll., Annex, point 7 (summary):

• Spouse, partner, or child: 2 days for the death + 1 day for the funeral.
• Parent, sibling, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law: 1 day for the funeral + an additional day if you are organizing it.
• Grandparent, grandchild, or another person living in the same household: necessary time off, up to 1 day (+ 1 more day if you are organizing the funeral).

New from June 1, 2025 (effective):
In addition to the above, employees are entitled to up to 5 extra unpaid days off in case of the death of a close relative (spouse, partner, child, grandchild, parent, or grandparent). Follow internal procedures on how to document and record this leave.

In practice:
Keep the death notice or confirmation and, if applicable, proof that you are organizing the funeral (required for entitlement to the additional day).

How wage compensation is calculated and who decides

If you are entitled to wage compensation, it is paid at the rate of your average earnings for the duration of the absence and within the regular pay period. The employer is required to excuse statutory absences and must follow the Labour Code and the Government Regulation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can an absence permit cover the entire day?
Yes, if it is truly necessary (for example, a longer examination, procedure, or hospitalization). Waiting time and travel are also included.

Do I have to choose the nearest doctor?
For paid leave, you must choose the nearest suitable medical facility (one that has a contract with your health insurance provider and provides the required care). If you choose another provider, you are still entitled to leave, but wage compensation is reduced to the time that would have been needed to visit the nearest facility.

I forgot to get confirmation from the doctor — what now?
Ask for it to be issued retroactively based on your medical records (sometimes for a fee). Provide documentation of both the appointment time and travel.

What about blood donation and shift work?
The entitlement applies even if you work in shifts — what matters is whether the trip, donation, and recovery overlap with your working hours. For blood, the entitlement covers up to 24 hours from the start of travel; for other biological materials, 48–96 hours, depending on the doctor’s assessment.