Red flags in Estonian employment contracts

Estonia's Töölepinguseadus (TLS) provides strong employee protections. If you are joining an Estonian company as an expat, these are the clauses worth scrutinising.

Probation period

Probation is at most four months (TLS § 10¹). It can be shortened or left out, but not extended, and periods of sick leave or holiday do not count towards it.

Non-compete clauses

A post-employment non-compete binds you only if it is in writing, lasts at most one year, and the employer pays you reasonable monthly compensation for that period (TLS § 24). Without compensation it does not meet those conditions.

Working time and overtime

Ensure working hours, overtime rules and compensation are specified. Working time and overtime are governed by TLS § 43 onwards (overtime is compensated with equal time off or 1.5× pay), and terms that deviate from the Act to the employee's detriment are void (TLS § 2).