We examined two main questions in our paper, on the one hand, to find out how the legal regulations on working time and rest time have changed in Hungary and Romania in the last 3 decades, and on the other hand, to find out how the 20-29 age group relates to working time, overtime. In both countries, pre-transition labour codes have been replaced, bringing a new perspective to these countries. On the one hand, pre-regime change work organization models were partially or completely transformed, adapting to a new kind of capitalist market perception. Related to the previous two effects is the fact that both countries applied for membership in the European Union, which meant the incorporation of EU standards into national law and compliance with EU minimum standards. These EU effects have largely affected labour law and working time. In addition to the above, it is necessary to look not only at legal and economic changes, but also at social changes, shifts towards flexible legal relations and the effects of digitalisation. In the questionnaire, we asked young people (aged 20-29) with a degree in economics or law in Romania and Hungary, or who are still pursuing such studies, about how working time and overtime are perceived. As a research question, we formulated whether there is a difference or similarity between the opinions of young people living in Romania or Hungary in terms of working hours, overtime, and esteem from the employer. We hypothesize that this young age group, regardless of place of residence, typically has a similar view of working time and the labour market, but work experience has an influential power on the issue of working time.
Keywords: labour law, working time, regime change, challenges
