At the Lepel Central District Hospital, a reception for citizens was held by Alina Koroleva, the legal labor inspector of the Vitebsk Regional Organization of the Belarusian Trade Union of Healthcare Workers, together with Diana Tratsyevskaya, the assistant prosecutor of the Lepel District.

By the way, a unified day for holding such receptions has been introduced in Belarus – every last Thursday of the month.

This practice of holding republican trade union legal receptions for citizens has become in demand in every corner of the country, as absolutely every trade union member can receive qualified legal assistance completely free of charge.

One of the questions received at the reception from a competent specialist concerned a business trip falling on an employee's day off. The citizen was interested in the possibility of receiving compensation.

Legal inspector Alina Koroleva explained that if the employer obliges an employee to depart on or return from a business trip on their day off, then at the employee's request, another unpaid day off shall be granted.

"According to Part 3 of Article 137 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus, this day off must be granted no later than one month following the month of the business trip," she emphasized.

A question was also asked regarding the provision of a break for rest and meals. A resident of Lepel was interested in whether it is permissible not to provide such a break to employees if their daily work does not exceed four hours.

"Yes, it is permissible," replied Alina Koroleva. "According to Part 4 of Article 134 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Belarus, a break for rest and meals may not be provided at the employee's request if their daily work (shift) duration is established not to exceed four hours. It is important to remember that the employee's wish should be expressed in writing, for example, in the form of an application, to which the employer must agree and issue a corresponding order."

All those who attended the legal reception were provided with legal consultations on labor law issues, the answers to which did not require additional study or response measures.

On this day, in addition to free legal consultations, the trade union lawyer also conducted a day of legal education in the labor collective of the healthcare institution. Its theme was dedicated to the labor and rest regime of employees.