Romania faces rising issues with unpaid overtime and work culture

In Romania, a growing trend of unpaid overtime and an intense work culture is impacting employees. While the official workday is set at 8 hours, many workers frequently extend their hours by handling tasks at home, answering emails, or staying late to manage unexpected requests. This often results in weekly working hours exceeding 38, which is higher than the European Union average of approximately 36 hours.

In extreme cases, some employees report working up to 100 hours per week. Despite legal requirements for overtime compensation, many workers do not receive payment for these additional hours. This issue is often driven by organizational cultures that equate constant availability with loyalty and high performance. Human resources specialists note that employees who attempt to limit overtime are frequently perceived as less committed or less dedicated to their companies.