Signing documents that you do not understand can affect your employment rights and your right to stay in Slovakia. When you start a job or during your employment, you may be asked to sign an employment contract, an amendment, a power of attorney, a declaration, or another document. If it is written in a language you do not understand, or if nobody explains what it says, you could unknowingly agree to terms that you do not agree with. Some employers or recruiters take advantage of language barriers to make workers sign documents without understanding their real meaning.

By signing a document, you may accept conditions that are not in your best interest, such as salary deductions, changes to your working conditions, termination of your employment, or giving another person the authority to act on your behalf without your knowledge.

What can you do?

• ask for the document in a language you understand, or ask for a translation or a full explanation
• if you do not have a translation, use a translation app on your phone or computer, such as Google Translate, DeepL, or another app you know. Even a machine translation can help you understand the main points and identify anything suspicious
• take your time to read the document. Do not let anyone pressure you into signing it immediately
• if you are still unsure about the meaning of the document after it has been translated, ask a trusted person, a trade union, a lawyer, or an organisation that helps workers for advice.