WORKWEEK

In April 2011, the news agency RIA Novosti reported that a notable Russian businessman, Mikhail Prokhorov, proposed that the workweek be increased from 40 to 60 hours a week. However, Russian Premier Vladimir Putin opposed the proposition, and Prokhorov later recanted his statement, saying he had been misunderstood and simply wanted employers to be able to manage their labor force freely. For now, the 40-hour week is still the standard.

Business hours are generally from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, but hours can vary widely by industry and level of employee. Banks have expanded their hours to the weekends, as have many stores, particularly in tourist areas. Some shops may be closed for lunch.

Paid vacation days can vary in different areas of Russia, with employees in the extreme northern regions receiving additional paid leave. It is reported that generally there are approximately 25 paid vacation days. While Russia had 18 holidays in 2011, they are not necessarily all compensated, as some fall on weekends.