VSB - Technical University of Ostrava strives to develop excellence in human resource management as a cornerstone of its operations. A key focus of this effort is to have a favourable, equitable, and safe working environment in close collaboration with our active trade unions. Central to these activities is the development of transparent personnel processes that emphasise equal opportunities, fair remuneration, and comprehensive employee support—including a robust bonus programme for both staff and students—while ensuring absolute compliance with all safety and hygiene standards. VSB-TUO's commitment to decent work extends beyond its staff to its students. Through comprehensive career counselling, the University prepares students for the global job market, helping them identify and develop their strengths. The University’s Career Centre offers a wide range of services, including individual consultations, skills development workshops, job interview preparation, CV writing, and direct access to a network of employers.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

Guaranteeing a fair and living wage

(8.2.1 Employment practice living wage)

VSB - Technical University of Ostrava guarantees that the wage or remuneration for any given contract may not be lower than the minimum wage. This commitment is strictly enforced through the Internal Salary Regulation of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava ( Art. 3 - Salary and remuneration from the agreement, minimum wage): "Salary or remuneration from the agreement must not be lower than the minimum wage."

Internal Salary Regulation of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava 

Supporting employee representation and unions

(8.2.2 Employment practice unions)

VSB - Technical University of Ostrava formally recognises and supports labor rights, freedom of association, and collective bargaining for all employees. The University has its Trade Union Coordination Council to cooperate with trade unions, regularly concluding a Collective Agreement that dictates financial and material conditions. The commitment to union representation is codified in the Statutes of VSB-TUO (Art. 23 – Welfare work for the staff and students): Trade-Union organizations of the University staff are active at VSB-TUO. VSB-TUO cares for the cultural and social welfare of its staff. In this context, financial and material conditions are established under the Union Agreement between the Rector and the Trade-Union Organisation.

Trade Union Organizations at VSB-TUO | Collective Agreement for the Period of 2025 | Statutes of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava | 

Zero tolerance for discrimination

(8.2.3 Employment policy on discrimination)

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava strictly adheres to the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, and equal opportunities. All employees and external collaborators share the exact same opportunities, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or medical condition.

This foundational principle is structurally guaranteed by the Code of Ethics of VSB-TUO, which explicitly mandates the following for all members of the University community: "They oppose all forms of discrimination based on any grounds, whether racial, ideological, health-related, political, religious, or other. They oppose all manifestations of abuse of position and other forms of bossing, as well as sexual coercion or harassment."

Furthermore, the University places a specific focus on gender equality, striving for equal visibility, equal status, and equal participation of all genders in all spheres of public and private life.

To enforce these standards, the University provides robust reporting mechanisms. Any misconduct can be formally addressed through the Handling of complaints, suggestions, notifications and petitions, other complaints directive. Employees may submit initiatives directly to the Ethics Commission or confidentially contact the dedicated University Ombudsperson (ombudsman@vsb.cz).

Equal Opportunities | Code of Ethics of VSB-TUO | Discrimination and Inappropriate Behaviour | Handling of complaints, suggestions, notifications and petitions, other complaints | Ethics Commission | Ombudsperson

Upholding human dignity 

(8.2.4 Employment policy modern slavery)

As a public institution, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava recognises its responsibility to ensure that all employment and study conditions respect human dignity and comply with Czech and European law. 

All employment relationships comply strictly with the the Czech Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006 Coll.), the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code of the Czech Republic (specifically Section 168 regarding Trafficking in Human Beings) and related legislation guaranteeing fair and safe working conditions.

To protect vulnerable populations, the University strictly regulates the working conditions of adolescent employees under Divison 5 of the Labour Code. These employees may only work in positions appropriate to their physical and intellectual abilities, with strictly limited hours and robust safeguards for their health, moral development, and education. 

Czech Labour Code | Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms | Criminal Code of the Czech Republic

Equal rights for outsourced and external workers

(8.2.5 Employment practice equivalent rights outsourcing)

VSB - Technical University of Ostrava ensures equal rights for all employees, including external employees who have a legal employment relationship with the University. All staff and collaborators enjoy the same opportunities, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or medical condition. This guarantee is embedded in the preamble of the Employment Rules of VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (Part One - Preamble, bullet point 2): "The Employment rules are binding for the employer and all persons who the employer employs. The Employment rules apply to persons working for employers based on agreements on work performed outside the employment relationship only if and to the extent that the individual provisions of these Employment rules do not conflict with the agreement in question." 

Employment Rules of VSB - Technical University of Ostrava

Commitment to pay scale equity and tracking

(8.2.6 Employment policy pay scale equity & 8.2.7 Tracking pay scale for gender equity)

Gender Equality Plan 2022-2026 | Internal Salary Regulation of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava 

Protecting employee rights through formal appeals

(8.2.8 Employment practice appeal process)

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava guarantees a formal, transparent appeal process for employees to challenge decisions regarding their employment rights, pay, or working conditions. The formal mechanism for employees to appeal decisions regarding their rights or pay is governed by the Handling of complaints, suggestions, notifications and petitions, other complaints directive. This establishes a structured, multi-tiered system for dispute resolution, allowing employees to formally escalate appeals regarding HR decisions to relevant University bodies, including the Control and Internal Audit Department, the Registry Office, or directly via the Dean's Office Secretariat.

To support this formal HR process, the University provides additional layers of employee protection:

• Whistleblowing channel (Internal Reporting System): In strict compliance with the Whistleblower Protection Act (Act No. 171/2023 Coll.), the University operates a secure reporting system. The University explicitly guarantees whistleblowers' rights, outlines specific reportable offenses, and appoints a designated competent person authorised to receive and investigate reports. This provides employees with a confidential, legally protected mechanism to report suspected violations of rights or unethical behavior without fear of retaliation.
• The University ombudsperson: Provides a highly confidential, independent channel to advise employees on their rights and mediate disputes before they escalate to formal administrative appeals.
• The Ethics Commission: Investigates complex grievances and appeals related to professional integrity and workplace ethics.

Handling of complaints, suggestions, notifications and petitions, other complaints | Whistleblowing | Ombudsperson | Ethics Commission

Guarantees of labour rights and freedom of association

(8.2.9 Employment practice labour rights)

VSB - Technical University of Ostrava formally recognises and upholds fundamental labour rights, including the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining for all employees. The legal framework guaranteeing these rights is strictly governed by the Collective Agreement, which establishes binding mutual recognition between University management and the trade unions to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of all staff members.

Article 3 - Subjects of collective bargaining, of the Collective Agreement for the Period of 2025 explicitly mandates:

(1) The employer recognizes the TUCC as the only representative of all University employees in the collective negotiation.
(2) The TUCC also recognizes the authorized representative of the employer as the only partner in the collective negotiation of the CA for the future period.

Collective Agreement for the Period of 2025