Trade unions in Slovakia have accused supermarket chain Kaufland of undermining workers’ rights, raising concerns over long working schedules, pressure on staff taking family-care leave and the alleged misuse of workplace surveillance, claims the company declined to address in detail while collective bargaining talks continue.
Kaufland, a part of Germany’s Schwarz Group, employs more than 8,500 people in Slovakia and operates over 85 stores as well as a national headquarters and distribution centre, making it one of the country’s largest retail employers.
The retailer has promoted its workplace credentials in recent years and last month announced it had again received the “Top Employer” certification from the Netherlands-based Top Employers Institute, which assesses companies’ human resources policies and practices.
But a local trade union organisation, ZO OZ KOVO Kaufland, says employees have increasingly complained about working conditions that it argues conflict with the company’s public image.
In statements released this week, the union said staff were regularly scheduled to work six consecutive days, describing the practice as physically and mentally demanding and harmful to work-life balance. Slovak labour law permits such schedules with the agreement of employee representatives, which the union previously granted under a working-time arrangement.
Union officials now say they want new limits introduced as part of ongoing negotiations over a collective agreement, arguing that the current system allows excessive use of extended work cycles.
The organisation also criticised what it described as negative reactions from managers towards employees taking leave to care for sick family members – a legal entitlement in Slovakia known as OCR. Union chair Rastislav Hruska cited a recent case in which a worker allegedly faced pressure from a supervisor after returning from caring for an ill child.
Separately, the union alleged that workplace camera systems were being used to monitor employee performance and discipline staff, which it said could breach privacy protections if confirmed.
Kaufland said it handled personnel matters responsibly and in accordance with the law but declined to comment on specific allegations.
“As negotiations on a collective agreement are ongoing, we will not comment publicly on individual issues in order to preserve the fairness and confidentiality of the talks,” company spokesperson Nikoleta Lorincova said. (The Slovak Spectator)