🇷🇺
Russia
Employment Guide & Cultural Intelligence
Overview
Capital
Moscow
Currency
RUB
Language
Russian
Time Zone
UTC+3 (MSK)
GDP per Capita
$15,400
Work Week
40 hours
Employment Basics
| Standard Work Week | 40 hours |
| Notice Period | 2 weeks to 2 months |
| Probation Period | 3 months |
| Overtime Rules | 50% first 2 hrs, 100% additional; capped at 4 hrs over 2 days |
| Termination Rules | Specific statutory grounds; severance 2 weeks to 3 months |
| Minimum Wage | RUB 19,242/mo (~€190) federal (2024; some regions higher) |
Statutory Benefits
28
Annual Leave Days
14
Public Holidays
42
Total Paid Days Off
| Parental Leave | 140 days maternity; childcare leave to age 3 |
| Sick Leave | First 3 days by employer, then social insurance (60-100% based on tenure) |
Employer Cost Summary
30%
Employer Tax/Contribution Rate
| Mandatory Insurance | Social Fund of Russia (30% combined): pension, health, social, accident |
| Retirement/Pension | State pension; age 65 men, 60 women (post-2018 reform) |
| Healthcare | Public OMS system + many corporate VHI policies (DMS) |
Cultural Intelligence
Communication Style
Direct in business; warmth in personal; smiling reserved for friends
Hierarchy
Strong hierarchy; titles and seniority highly respected
Meeting Norms
Punctual expected of foreigners; substantive; long discussions normal
Negotiation Approach
Patient, hard bargaining; verbal agreements need written backup
Gift Giving
Welcome; quality items; vodka and chocolates classic; odd flowers
Taboos
Sanctions context complicates business — verify legal compliance carefully
Hiring Tips
1
Sanctions environment requires legal review for Western companies
2
Strong technical talent, especially in IT and engineering
3
13th month salary common but not statutory
4
Notice periods short by Western standards — 2 weeks to 2 months
5
English limited outside Moscow and St. Petersburg international firms
Quick Facts
- Work Week 40 hrs
- Annual Leave 28 days
- Public Holidays 14
- Employer Burden 30%
- Probation 3 months
- Currency RUB