Legal confusion over May 8th status leaves Slovak employers and workers uncertain about pay and leave

A change in Slovakia's public holidays law has created unexpected chaos in employment relations, leaving both employers and employees uncertain about their rights and obligations. While May 8th and September 15th will no longer be official non-working days in 2026, their status in the Labor Code remains ambiguous. Employers and workers now face confusion over whether employees are entitled to 100 percent pay supplements for working on these dates, or whether companies can mandate vacation time or paid leave instead. The legal uncertainty has created practical difficulties for businesses trying to plan work schedules and compensation policies.