Employment in the first job always comes with questions: who writes the labor book, what to do with it if the document is lost, and whether it is possible to get a job without it. We remind of key rules that are important to know for both the employer and the newcomer.

From the employer's side

The employer prepares the labor book for an employee who is hired for the first time. This must be done in the presence of the employee no later than seven calendar days from the date of hiring. The book is kept at the main place of work - provided the person works more than five days. This rule applies to organizations: employers - physical persons do not issue or maintain labor books.

It is possible to hire an employee without a labor book, but only in two cases: if it is their first job or part-time work. If a person is hired not for the first time at their main place of work, they must present the existing book. When the document is lost, damaged, or missing for other reasons, a written application from the employee indicating the reason is required for duplicate issuance. Ignoring the absence of the document is not allowed: in special legislation, the employer is required to create a book or issue a duplicate.

Special attention - to old and foreign samples. In Belarus, Soviet samples from 1938 and 1973, as well as republican samples from 1993, 1995, and 2014 are valid. It is not required to change a Soviet book - records continue to be made in it. However, national books of foreign states, for example Russian or Ukrainian, are not used for new entries: in such cases a Belarusian sample book is issued. A Soviet book of established type can be continued even if it was issued in another Soviet republic.

From the employee's side

There is no need to buy a form before the first job - it is prepared by the employer. However, the employee reimburses the employer for the amount spent on its purchase.

To fill in personal information, a passport or another identity document, as well as education and training documents will be needed. If you were receiving education or serving in military service, service in militarized organizations before your first job, present the confirming documents - according to them, relevant entries will be made in the book. It is important not to confuse this list with the complete set of documents for hiring: it depends on the legislation requirements taking into account the position of the official or profession of the worker.

Upon receiving your employment record book, you should check a few key details:

• personal information — surname, first name, patronymic, date of birth, details on education, profession, and specialty;
• the hiring entry — the employer's name, date of hiring, job title or profession, qualification, and department (if specified at the time of hiring);
• the basis for the entry — the date and number of the hiring order.

All of this data must match your documents and the official order. If you notice an error, inform the person responsible for maintaining employment records. You cannot correct the entries yourself — this is the employer's responsibility.

The employment record book is a document that accompanies a person throughout their entire professional life, so paying close attention to it at the start of your career will pay off in the future: no questions will arise regarding the entries when you apply for a pension or change jobs.