Against the backdrop of the ongoing war with its anxieties, sleepless nights and in conditions of constant stress with economic challenges, the mental health of Ukrainians can become a priority not only for medicine, but also for labor law. Thus, an innovative draft law No. 15281 of 27.05.2026 has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration , which can change the culture of work and rest at work in Ukraine, following the example of highly developed technology companies such as Google or Apple .
What exactly the initiator of the bill proposes, and how these 20 minutes will affect business productivity, we will understand in our detailed author’s analysis.
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New Article 66-1: Psychological relief as part of the working day
The main innovation is the addition of a new article to the Labor Code of Ukraine (LCU) – 66-1 .
According to the provisions of the new article, employees will not only be able to officially claim a special break to restore strength, but will also have the official right to demand 20 minutes of rest during the working day. That is, 100 minutes of rest with a 5-day work week, or 120 minutes with a 6-day one (which gives up to 2 hours of rest per week).
Key parameters of the new norm:
- Duration: up to 20 minutes during the working day.
- Payment: this time is included in working hours and, accordingly, is paid by the employer.
- Condition of provision: the break is provided at the employee’s request and with the employer’s consent .
- What you can spend time on: meditation, breathing exercises, physical activity, or any other activity aimed at relaxation.
Why is this important right now?
The authors of the bill emphasize in the explanatory note that modern working conditions in Ukraine are characterized by extreme intensity and psycho-emotional exhaustion. Constant anxiety, military operations, and chronic stress lead to professional burnout, an increase in the number of mistakes, and conflicts in teams.
Currently, the Labor Code provides only general breaks for rest and meals, which do not take into account the need for mental recovery. Global practice, such as examples of high-tech IT companies or other global giants (corporations), shows that the introduction of relaxation rooms and mental health support programs is the norm for developed countries and leading companies in the world, which value every employee in the team.
The scientific basis: how meditation changes the brain
The draft law is based not only on social necessity, but also on serious scientific research presented in the explanatory note to the proposal for amendments to the labor legislation of Ukraine.
In particular, the results of MRI studies are mentioned, which prove that regular mindfulness practices lead to:
- Increased gray matter in areas of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and emotion regulation.
- Strengthening the immune system , which was confirmed by experiments with influenza vaccination – those who meditated had significantly higher antibody titers.
- Reducing anxiety levels and increasing concentration, which directly affects performance.
The role of the employer: a right, not an obligation
It is important to understand that the draft law is balanced in nature. It does not oblige the employer to provide a break unconditionally every day for 20 days a month, but depending on the situation, which allows taking into account the specifics of each specific production process of the enterprise.
The document also provides:
- Arrangement of places for rest: The employer may (but is not obliged to) create special areas, purchase inventory or equipment.
- Financial benefit: The costs of such measures can be attributed to the business expenses of the enterprise.
- Collective agreements: The procedure for the employer’s participation in ensuring unloading is determined by a collective agreement or other agreement between the parties.
Current status of the bill
As of June 2026, the draft Law No. 15281 is at the stage of being considered in committees . It has already been referred to specialized committees, in particular on social policy (main), national health, legal policy, and budget.
If the law is adopted, it will enter into force the day after its publication.
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Conclusion
Introducing breaks for psychological relief is not just 20 minutes of rest, but a smart step towards humanizing labor relations in Ukraine. For businesses, it is an opportunity to reduce staff turnover and increase staff efficiency by reducing burnout. For employees, it is a legal tool for maintaining mental health in extremely difficult times
