Can one be fired for coming to work early?

08.12.2025 23:55 • Question

I read news about a woman who was fired for coming to work earlier than the set time, and the court recognized this as a serious violation of labor discipline. I wonder if an employer in Ukraine really has the right to dismiss an employee just because they consistently come to work too early, even if they don't violate other rules? Is this a valid ground for dismissal under Ukrainian law?

1 Answers

Lorina Fedan

Answer provided 09.12.2025 11:38

General grounds for dismissal, provided for by the KZpP, continue to apply during martial law:1. Agreement of the parties (Article 36 KZpP).2. Expiry of a fixed-term employment contract (Point 2 of Article 36 KZpP).3. At the initiative of the employee (Article 38 KZpP).4. At the initiative of the employer (Articles 40, 41 KZpP).5. Other grounds provided for by the KZpP (e.g., transfer to another employer, employee's refusal to be transferred to another job due to the relocation of the enterprise, etc.).Peculiarities of dismissal at the initiative of the employer during martial law (Article 5 of Law No. 2136-IX):Law No. 2136-IX expands the list of grounds for dismissing an employee at the initiative of the employer during martial law. In addition to the grounds provided for by Article 40 of the KZpP, the employer has the right to terminate an employment contract with an employee due to:Absence of the employee from work for four consecutive months and failure to inform about the reasons for such absence.Failure of the employee to perform their labor duties, including due to their absence from work in connection with military aggression against Ukraine, which makes it impossible for them to perform labor duties.Liquidation of the enterprise, institution, organization, change in the organization of production and labor, including reduction in the number or staff of employees.

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