Understanding Denmark's New Time Tracking Mandate
As of July 1, 2024, Denmark's new Working Time Act (Act no. 89) mandates that all employers implement an "objective, reliable, and accessible" system for recording employee working hours. This legislation is a direct response to the 2019 European Court of Justice ruling in the CCOO/Deutsche Bank case, which requires EU member states to enforce such systems. The goal is to ensure compliance with EU working time directives and protect employee well-being.
The law applies to all salaried employees in Denmark, including those in small associations, with a narrow exemption for "self-organizers"—employees who autonomously manage their schedules. Employers must ensure that their systems can reliably track total daily working hours, though specific time slots are not required. Compliance is crucial, as the Danish Working Environment Authority has increased its sanctioning authority for non-compliance.