 # Legal Digest: Recent Changes and Court Positions (May 2026) ## Sick Leave During Downtime: Position of the SFR The Social Fund of Russia clarified the procedure for paying sick leave during enterprise downtime. Key conclusion: if an employee falls ill **during** downtime, temporary disability benefits are not paid. However, if the disability **occurred before downtime** and continues during it, benefits for the downtime period are paid, but in a special order. This is an important clarification for employers: not all sick leaves during downtime are subject to payment. I recommend checking the company's local regulations for compliance with this position. ## Overtime Work: Courts Side with Employees A notable case: an employer required employees to arrive on the premises 10 minutes before their shift and leave 10 minutes later. An employee sued to have this time paid as overtime. Three courts supported the employee. **Conclusion for business:** any time spent on the enterprise premises at the employer's request (even 10 minutes before/after a shift) may be recognized as overtime work and is subject to payment. I recommend reviewing the internal labor regulations. ## Ministry of Digital Development: New Rules for Telecom Operators and Management Companies The department proposes to clarify the procedure for operators' access to common property in apartment buildings. If the management company has approved access, the inspection must take place no later than 15 business days. This simplifies the placement of equipment for telecom operators. ## Enhanced Control Over Product Labeling The operator of the "Honest Sign" system has been granted the authority to verify whether companies actually produce the goods (shoes, clothing, perfumes, tires, dietary supplements) for which they request labeling codes. Without confirmation of production, codes will not be issued. ## Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation: Childcare Leave for Adoptive Parents The Constitutional Court ruled to eliminate a legislative gap that allowed refusing adoptive parents—employees of the federal fire service—childcare leave until the child reaches three years of age. Now, adoptive parents are equal in rights with biological parents. ## Auto-USN for Individual Entrepreneurs: Personal Accounts Not an Obstacle The Federal Tax Service clarified: the presence of current accounts for personal needs unrelated to entrepreneurial activities does not prevent the application of Auto-USN. Important: accounts must be used **only** for personal expenses. --- *The digest is prepared based on materials from ConsultantPlus dated May 15, 2026.*