Jan Souček denied additional Czech Television bonus by court

A Prague City Court has issued a final ruling denying former Czech Television (ČT) Director General Jan Souček the right to an additional management bonus for 2024. The appellate senate upheld a previous verdict that dismissed Souček’s lawsuit, in which he sought approximately 1.3 million CZK to bring his total bonus to 50 percent of the maximum entitlement.

Souček argued that his employment contract stipulated an automatic 50 percent bonus if the Czech Television Council failed to reach a decision on the amount by the end of June. While the Council did make a decision in April, it granted only one-tenth of the annual bonus. Souček contended that the bonus amount should have been negotiated with him first and that he received no justification for the lower amount.

Presiding judge René Fischer stated that the essential factor was the decision made by the Czech Television Council, emphasizing that the bonus is a non-entitlement component of remuneration that may or may not be paid. Following the ruling, Souček indicated he might appeal to the Supreme Court, arguing that the legal interpretation of the agreement renders the contract terms ineffective.