Before going to your first shift, it is not enough to simply receive a message saying “come tomorrow.” You need to understand who the employer is, where the workplace is located, what contract is being offered, how many hours the shift lasts, how overtime is paid, when the first payment will be made, and whether you have the right to work under these exact conditions.

In the Czech Republic, employment relationships are regulated by rules. The website of the State Labour Inspection Office states that an employment contract must be concluded in writing, and it must include the job type, place of work, and date of starting work. More details are available on the official page SÚIP — Basic information for foreigners on employment regulations.

Why you should not choose your first job only by salary

After moving, money is often needed quickly. You need to pay for housing, transport, food, phone service, documents, and everyday expenses. That is why a high amount in a job offer may look very attractive.

But salary is only one part. It is important to understand what exactly stands behind this amount:

• whether it is gross or net;
• how many hours you need to work;
• whether there are night shifts;
• how weekends and holidays are paid;
• whether there is overtime;
• when the first payment will arrive;
• whether money is deducted for housing, transport, or uniform;
• what type of contract is offered.

If the salary looks high, but shifts last 12 hours, housing is paid, the commute takes a lot of time, and part of the money is deducted for services, the final result may be much worse than expected.

What should be clear before the first shift

Before starting work, you need to get specific answers. Not after the shift, not “on site,” not “we will explain later,” but in advance.

• the exact name of the employer;
• the workplace address;
• the position and real duties;
• the start date;
• the type of contract;
• the salary amount;
• whether the salary is stated as gross or net;
• the work schedule;
• the length of the shift;
• the conditions of the probation period;
• when the first payment will be made;
• who is responsible for document processing;
• whether housing is provided and how much it costs;
• how to get to work.

A normal job offer should be clear before the first shift. If you are not given the exact address, the contract is not explained, the employer is not named, and you are rushed into making a decision, this is a reason to stop.

Check the employment contract

The employment contract is the main document between the employee and the employer. It should not be treated as a formality. The contract states where a person works, what job they do, and from which day the employment relationship begins.

At minimum, you should check:

• whether the employee’s name is written correctly;
• whether the employer’s name is written correctly;
• what position is stated in the contract;
• what place of work is stated;
• what start date is written;
• what salary or payment method is stated;
• what schedule or weekly working hours are stated;
• whether there is a probation period;
• how the contract can be terminated;
• whether there are any additional attachments to the contract.

If the contract is in Czech, you still need to understand it before signing. You can translate the text, ask for unclear points to be explained, and keep a copy. Signing a document where salary, position, place of work, or duration is unclear is dangerous.

Do not confuse an employment contract with other agreements

Different forms of work may be used in the Czech Republic. In addition to a standard employment contract, there are also agreements for work performed outside an employment relationship. Official SÚIP information states that these agreements must also be concluded in writing. Source: SÚIP — Employment regulations in the Czech Republic.

Before starting a shift, you need to understand what exactly is being offered:

• a standard employment contract;
• an agreement for a limited scope of work;
• work through an agency;
• seasonal work;
• another type of cooperation.

Different forms of work may differ in stability, hours, vacation, payments, insurance, and employee protection. If a person does not understand which document they are signing, they also do not understand their real conditions.

Clarify salary: gross or net

One of the most common mistakes is not checking which salary is stated in the job offer. In the Czech Republic, salary is often discussed as gross, meaning before taxes and mandatory contributions. Net salary is the amount that arrives in your bank account.

Before starting a shift, you should ask:

• how much the gross salary is;
• approximately how much the net salary will be;
• what the hourly rate is;
• how night shifts are paid;
• how weekends are paid;
• how holidays are paid;
• whether there are bonuses;
• what is deducted from salary;
• when the first payment will be made.

According to the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the minimum wage in 2026 is 22,400 Kč per month or 134.40 Kč per hour with a standard 40-hour working week. Current information can be checked on the official page MPSV — Minimální mzda.

Check the schedule and shifts

The schedule affects life no less than salary. This is especially true after moving, when you need to deal with documents, look for housing, get used to transport, and recover your energy.

Before the first shift, you need to find out:

• how many hours the shift lasts;
• how many shifts there are per week;
• whether there are night shifts;
• whether work is done on weekends;
• how far in advance the schedule is given;
• whether you can refuse additional shifts;
• how worked hours are recorded;
• whether there are breaks;
• how overtime is paid.

If a person works 12-hour shifts, lives far from work, and spends a lot of time commuting, even a normal salary can quickly stop feeling good. Fatigue builds up, and there is almost no time left for documents, language, and everyday life.

Work address and commute to the shift

Before starting a shift, you need to know the exact work address. Not only the city name, but the specific address, entrance, gatehouse, stop, bus number, or contact of the person who will meet you on site.

It is especially important to check the route if the workplace is:

• in an industrial zone;
• outside the city;
• in a place where transport runs rarely;
• in a warehouse near a road;
• in an area where it is difficult to get home at night.

If the shift starts very early or ends late, transport needs to be checked in advance. Sometimes the job looks good, but without a car or company bus, getting there is inconvenient.

If the job is connected with housing

A first job after moving is often connected with housing. This can be convenient: you do not need to immediately search for an apartment, pay a large deposit, and understand the rental market.

But housing from an employer or agency should be checked separately:

• the exact residential address;
• the cost of housing;
• how many people live in one room;
• whether there is a deposit;
• whether money is deducted from salary;
• whether you can move out separately;
• what happens to housing if employment ends;
• whether there is a contract or written conditions;
• how to get from housing to work.

The most dangerous situation is when a person depends on both the job and the housing, but the living conditions are not written down. If the job does not suit them, they may lose not only income, but also the place where they live.

Right to work and documents

Before the first shift, you need to make sure that the person has the right to work under these exact conditions. Different statuses give different rights: EU citizenship, temporary protection, employee card, long-term residence, work permit, or another legal status.

For employee card holders, it is especially important not to change employer or position without checking the procedure. The official IPC portal for foreigners states that when changing employer, job position, or starting another job, an employee card holder must report changes to the Ministry of the Interior, and the procedure depends on whether they have free access to the labour market. More details: IPC — Employee Card: Change of Employment.

Before starting work, you need to check:

• whether the current status gives the right to work;
• whether there must be a link to a specific employer;
• whether the job matches the documents;
• whether the Ministry of the Interior must be notified;
• whether there are restrictions by position, place, or hours;
• whether the card, visa, or permit is close to expiry.

Work without the correct legal basis can create problems not only with the employer, but also with further residence in the Czech Republic.

Why you should not start working without proper registration

Offers like “try working for a few days without a contract” may look harmless, but in practice they are risky. Especially for those whose documents depend on work.

Úřad práce states that illegal work includes dependent work outside an employment relationship, work without the required permit, or work in conflict with an employee card, blue card, or work permit. Illegal work may lead to fines. More details are available on the official page Úřad práce — Administrative offences.

Before the first shift, it should be clear:

• which document confirms the employment relationship;
• when the contract is signed;
• who registers the employee;
• from which day work begins;
• how hours are recorded;
• when payment will be made.

If someone suggests first starting “just to try” and signing the contract later, it is better not to agree without clear written confirmation.

Health insurance and official work

Official work affects not only salary, but also health insurance. According to VZP, a person without permanent residence in the Czech Republic may participate in the public health insurance system as an employee of an employer registered in the Czech Republic, if the legal conditions are met. The employer also notifies the insurance company about the beginning and end of the employee’s participation in insurance. Source: VZP — Healthcare for foreigners.

After starting work, it is worth clarifying:

• which health insurance company the employee is registered with;
• from which day the insurance is valid;
• whether an insurance card will be issued;
• what to do in case of illness;
• how to arrange sick leave;
• what happens to insurance when employment ends.

It is better to clarify these questions in advance, not at the moment of illness.

Workplace safety

On the first shift, it is important not to be embarrassed to ask safety questions. This is especially relevant for warehouses, production, construction, kitchens, cleaning, and work with machinery.

Before starting work, you need to understand:

• who conducts the training;
• what safety rules apply;
• whether work shoes or uniform are needed;
• who provides protective equipment;
• what must not be done without training;
• where to turn in case of injury;
• who is the shift supervisor;
• how to report a problem.

If a person has not understood the instruction, it is better to ask again. A workplace mistake can cost more than the awkwardness of asking a question.

What to take to the first shift

Before the first shift, it is better to prepare in advance. This reduces stress and helps you avoid feeling lost on the first day.

• a passport or residence card;
• a copy of the contract or messages with the conditions;
• the work address;
• the contact of the responsible person;
• a bank account number, if it has already been requested;
• comfortable clothing;
• work shoes, if needed;
• food and water;
• a charged phone;
• a transport pass or ticket;
• a few basic phrases in Czech.

If the job is physical, you should not go to the first shift without food, water, and proper shoes. Even simple things strongly affect how you feel.

Basic phrases for the first shift

Even if the job is suitable without knowing Czech, a few phrases will help you orient yourself faster.

• Dobrý den — good afternoon / hello;
• Jsem tady první den — I am here for the first day;
• Nerozumím — I do not understand;
• Můžete to zopakovat? — can you repeat that?
• Kde je šatna? — where is the changing room?
• Kdy začíná směna? — when does the shift start?
• Kdy je pauza? — when is the break?
• Co mám dělat? — what should I do?
• Potřebuji pomoc — I need help;
• Děkuji — thank you.

You do not need to speak perfectly. On the first shift, it is enough to understand simple instructions and be able to ask someone to repeat them.

Signs of a normal employer

A good employer does not necessarily promise the highest salary. But they calmly explain the conditions and do not hide important details.

• there is an exact company name;
• there is a clear contract;
• the work address is known;
• the duties are clear;
• salary is explained before starting;
• the schedule is known in advance;
• there is no request to pay for employment;
• housing conditions are written separately;
• there is a contact person responsible;
• questions are answered calmly.

If an employer or intermediary gets angry at normal questions, rushes you, hides documents, or promises to explain everything only after arrival, this is a bad sign.

Conclusion

A first job in the Czech Republic after moving should not only be quick, but also clear and legal. Before starting a shift, you need to check the contract, employer, work address, salary, schedule, housing, transport, insurance, and the right to work under these exact conditions.

The most common mistakes are agreeing only because of salary, not distinguishing gross from net salary, starting without a contract, not checking housing, not understanding your status, and not clarifying when the first payment will be made.

If all main conditions are clear in advance, the first job becomes a normal start. It helps you settle in, receive income, get used to the country, and calmly plan the next steps: housing, documents, language, and a more stable life in the Czech Republic.