State Labor Service inspections in Ukraine in 2026 – what is checked and penalties
Labor inspections in Ukraine in 2026 have once again drawn the attention of employers. This year, companies make their final payment of administrative and economic penalties for failing to meet the employment quota for persons with disabilities for 2025. At the same time, a new Procedure has been approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 268 dated 24.02.2026 – clear rules under which the State Labor Service will verify whether this quota has actually been met.
Have inspectors received new broad powers? Has anything really changed significantly compared to previous years? In this article, we will go through the Cabinet of Ministers Procedure step by step: who conducts inspections, types of inspections, procedures, rights and employer obligations, what to do with the report and order, as well as risks and common mistakes.
Who checks compliance with the employment quota for persons with disabilities
As before, inspections are carried out by the State Labor Service of Ukraine (Derzhpratsi).
The new procedure does not introduce new authorities – these are the same inspectors with the same powers. The inspection rules are now systematized in a single document, which reduces room for interpretation.
There are two types of inspections:
- scheduled – based on an annual plan approved by the State Labor Service by December 1 of the previous year;
- unscheduled – based on specific grounds.
Both scheduled and unscheduled inspections can be on-site (directly at the company) or off-site (document review at the State Labor Service office).
Important point: the inspection is conducted only during working hours according to the company’s schedule and in the presence of the manager or an authorized representative. Before starting, the inspector must make an entry in the inspection log if such a log is maintained.
Duration of labor inspections in 2026
| Type of inspection | Total duration | Duration for micro and small businesses | Advance notice | Period that may be inspected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | up to 10 working days | up to 5 working days | 10 working days in advance | no more than 3 years |
| Unscheduled | up to 10 calendar days | up to 2 working days | without prior notice | no more than 3 years |
* scheduled inspections are suspended until the end of 2026 due to a moratorium (Law No. 2594)
Scheduled inspections: frequency and notification
Scheduled inspections are conducted according to an annual plan approved by the State Labor Service by December 1 of the previous year. The frequency with which a company is included in the plan depends on risk criteria established by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
You must be notified of a scheduled inspection in writing no later than 10 calendar days in advance – by registered mail or in person with signature confirmation.
The duration of the inspection is limited – up to 10 working days in total, and for micro and small businesses – up to 5 working days. Extensions are not allowed. The inspection covers a period of no more than 3 years preceding the inspection date.
Unscheduled inspections: most common grounds
Unscheduled inspections raise the most questions, as they occur more frequently and may take place without prior notice.
The most common grounds for an unscheduled inspection:
- you submitted a written request for an inspection yourself;
- you failed to comply with an order after a previous inspection;
- a complaint was received from an employee regarding a violation of their rights;
- information was received from the Pension Fund about possible violations.
Important rule: the same issue cannot be inspected again if it has already been the basis for a previous unscheduled inspection.
The duration is the same as for scheduled inspections – up to 10 working days in total, and for small businesses – up to 2 working days. Extensions are not allowed.
Inspection procedure: what the inspector must do
Before the inspection begins, an official assignment is issued based on an order. The inspector must present an official ID, the assignment, and leave you a copy of it.
Without these documents, you have the full right to deny the inspector access to the inspection.
In practice, this is one of the most important points: if the procedure is violated, the inspection is considered unlawful, and you can challenge its results.
What the State Labor Service checks during an inspection
During an inspection of compliance with the employment quota for persons with disabilities, inspectors of the State Labor Service usually check the following documents:
- company staffing schedule
- HR orders and employment contracts
- reports on the employment of persons with disabilities
- data on the average number of employees
- payroll and salary calculation documents
- documents confirming the creation of jobs
- inspection log
If some documents are missing or оформлені with errors, the inspector may record violations in the inspection report.
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Employer rights and obligations during a State Labor Service inspection
Employers have sufficient rights to control the process. You may be present, involve third parties (lawyer, accountant), provide written explanations and comments to the report, and challenge orders and actions of inspectors.
The right to deny access to an inspection arises if the procedure is violated: no notice of a scheduled inspection, no assignment, no entry in the log, violation of inspection frequency, or it is a repeated inspection for the same issue.
Obligations: allow inspectors access provided they follow the procedure, provide documents, and comply with orders to eliminate violations.
Common employer mistakes during a State Labor Service inspection
In practice, conflicts often arise precisely because of these mistakes:
- employers forget that an inspection is only possible during working hours and in the presence of a manager;
- they do not maintain an inspection log, so the inspector does not make an entry and the inspection is considered invalid;
- they do not document procedural violations (no assignment or copy);
- they do not provide written comments to the report, which complicates appeals;
- they do not comply with the order within 5 working days, which leads to administrative liability.
Risks: failure to meet the quota leads to administrative and economic sanctions, and repeated violations result in higher fines. It is better to prepare documents and the log in advance.
State Labor Service inspection report: what to do after the inspection
Based on the inspection results, an inspection report is prepared, clearly indicating whether the quota has been met or not.
Refusing to sign the report will not help – in this case, a corresponding note is added to the document and it is sent to you by registered mail with delivery confirmation.
So if you disagree with something, it is better to submit written comments. If violations are identified, an order to eliminate them is issued within 5 working days.
If non-compliance with the quota is established, the State Labor Service initiates administrative liability and within 10 working days sends a copy of the report to the territorial body of the Pension Fund.
Refusing to sign the report or ignoring the order is not a solution.
Frequently asked questions
Who checks compliance with the quota for persons with disabilities in 2026?
State Labor Service of Ukraine (Derzhpratsi). The new procedure has not changed the controlling authority – these are the same inspectors as before.
Can an unscheduled inspection be carried out without prior notice?
Yes, if there is a valid reason (employee complaint, information from the Pension Fund, failure to comply with an order, etc.). However, the inspector must present an ID and an assignment. Without these documents, you have the right to deny access.
How long does an inspection last for small businesses?
Scheduled – up to 5 working days, unscheduled – up to 2 working days. Extensions are not allowed. This is one of the few advantages for small businesses under the new procedure.
Can you deny an inspector access to the inspection?
Yes, if an official ID or assignment is not presented, or if the procedure is violated (no entry in the log, inspection outside working hours, etc.). But if everything is properly оформлено, you cannot refuse access.
What happens if the order is not complied with?
The State Labor Service initiates administrative liability and sends a copy of the report to the Pension Fund for the calculation of sanctions. If the order is not complied with on time, the amount of penalties may be significantly higher.
When are administrative and economic sanctions for the 2025 quota paid for the last time?
In 2026 – by April 15. The calculation is available in the Pension Fund electronic cabinet after March 10. Payment details for all regions and Kyiv have been published by the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities.
Can an inspection report be challenged?
Yes. To do this, you need to submit written comments on the report and challenge the order in accordance with the установленном procedure. In many cases, courts side with employers if procedural violations are proven.
Conclusion
Labor inspections in 2026 have not introduced fundamental changes, but the control rules have become more structured. Employers need to understand the inspection procedure, their rights, and the process for appealing reports. If you already understood the procedure and complied with the requirements before, there is no reason to worry. Nothing fundamentally new has appeared here.
We also remind you that in 2026, employers make the final payment of administrative and economic sanctions for failing to meet the quota of jobs for persons with disabilities for 2025. Employers can see the calculation with the amount of sanctions in the electronic cabinet on the Pension Fund portal after March 10 and must pay it by April 15.
For payment of these penalties, the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities has published payment details for all regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv.
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