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Undoubtedly, payroll is a critical aspect of any organization. The Pay cycle is a notable feature that provides a sense of accountability for an employee to be paid consistently for their work.

The frequency cycle is Monthly. 

There is no statutory requirement for employers in Kazakhstan to pay their employees a Christmas bonus or a 13th month pay. However, some employers may choose to do so as a discretionary benefit.

The minimum wage in Kazakhstan is KZT 70,000 per month as of January 1, 2023.

The overtime policy in Kazakhstan is governed by the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Labor Code defines overtime as any work performed outside of the regular working hours, which are set at 40 hours per week.

Overtime work is only permitted with the employee's consent, except in certain emergency situations. The maximum amount of overtime that an employee can be required to work is 2 hours per day and 12 hours per month.

Employees are compensated for overtime work at a rate of 1.5 times their regular pay. Employees who work overtime on holidays or weekends are compensated at a rate of 2 times their regular pay.

The data retention policy in Kazakhstan is governed by the Law on Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the "Personal Data Law"). The Personal Data Law requires businesses to retain personal data for a period of no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and processed.

The Personal Data Law also sets out a number of specific requirements for the retention of personal data, including:

• Personal data relating to financial transactions must be retained for a period of at least 10 years.
• Personal data relating to employment must be retained for a period of at least 3 years after the termination of employment.
• Personal data relating to customers must be retained for a period of at least 3 years after the customer's last contact with the business.

Businesses that are subject to the Personal Data Law must also implement a data retention policy that is in line with the requirements of the law.

The following are the general employee hiring requirements in Kazakhstan:

• Age: Employees must be at least 16 years old to work in Kazakhstan.
• Citizenship: Kazakh citizens and non-citizens are both allowed to work in Kazakhstan. However, non-citizens may require a work permit or visa.
• Education and skills: The education and skills requirements for each job will vary depending on the industry and the specific position. However, most employers will require their employees to have a basic level of education and skills.
• Criminal background check: Employers in Kazakhstan are required to conduct a criminal background check on all potential employees before hiring them.
• Medical examination: Employers may require potential employees to undergo a medical examination before hiring them. However, this is not a legal requirement.

The following are some of the most common employee onboarding documents in Kazakhstan:

• Employment contract: This is a legally binding agreement between the employer and the employee that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. The employment contract must be in writing and signed by both parties.
• Job description: This document describes the employee's duties and responsibilities, as well as the qualifications and experience required for the position.
• Company handbook: This document contains information about the company's policies, procedures, and benefits.
• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA): This document is used to protect the company's confidential information.
• Conflict of interest agreement: This document is used to prevent employees from engaging in activities that could conflict with their job duties.
• Tax and insurance forms: Employees are required to complete a number of tax and insurance forms when they are hired.

In addition to these standard documents, employers in Kazakhstan may also require employees to sign other documents, such as a confidentiality agreement or a non-compete agreement.

The probation period in Kazakhstan is the initial period of employment during which the employer assesses the employee's suitability for the position. The probation period is governed by the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The maximum probation period for most employees is three months. However, the probation period can be extended to six months for CEOs, CFOs, their deputies, and heads of branches or representative offices.

The public holidays are observed in Kazakhstan:

• January 1 - 3: New Year’s Day 
• January 7: Orthodox Christmas
• March 8: Women's Day
• March 21 - 23: Nauryz Holiday 
• May 1: Kazakhstan People Solidarity Day  
• May 7 and 8: Defenders' Day 
• May 9: Victory Day 
• June 28: Kurban Ait
• July 6 and 7: Capital City Day 
• August 30: Consitution Day 
• October 25: Republic Day 
• December 16 - 18: Independence Day

Employees are entitled to at least 24 calendar days of basic paid leave each calendar year, unless otherwise provided. The vacation compensation should be paid at least 3 days before the employee goes on leave.

Employees are entitled to 3 days paid sick leave entitlement per year, which may increase up to 6 days for severe illness.

Mothers are entitled to maternity leave, which is paid by the state social insurance fund. The duration of maternity leave is 126 calendar days, with 70 days before the expected date of delivery and 56 days after the delivery.

There are no provisions in the law regarding paternity leave.

Employees are entitled to up to 5 days of unpaid leave for Marriage, Bereavement (of a member of the immediate family), and exceptional circumstances.

The employee notice period in Kazakhstan is the period of time that an employee must give their employer before terminating their employment contract. The notice period is governed by the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The minimum notice period for most employees is one month. However, the notice period can be extended to two months for CEOs, CFOs, their deputies, and heads of branches or representative offices.

The amount of severance pay that an employee is entitled to depends on the reason for termination and the employee's length of service. For example, an employee is entitled to one month's severance pay for termination due to a reduction in staff, but two months' severance pay for termination due to liquidation of the employer.

Employees are entitled to severance pay even if they are terminated during their probation period. However, the amount of severance pay that they are entitled to will be reduced by the length of their probation period.

To obtain a work visa in Kazakhstan, foreign nationals must have a work permit or a residence permit.

The M1 visa is the most common Kazakhstan work visa among expats looking into working there.

There are two effective ways to obtain a Kazakhstan work permit: work permit for managers, specialists, and qualified workers, and representative office work visa for chief executives.

• The employer must submit a work permit application on behalf of the foreign employee to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• After the work permit is issued, the foreign employee needs to visit the embassy or consulate of Kazakhstan in their country to apply for an entry visa.
• The foreign employee should provide documents like an employment contract, CV, proof of accommodations in Kazakhstan, etc.

After obtaining a work visa and traveling to Kazakhstan, foreign employees should register with the Migration Police.

Work permits are issued upon payment of a state fee of up to USD 3,750, depending on the category of the relevant work permit.

It's important to note that the visa and work permit regulations in Kazakhstan can be complex, and the regulations can change frequently. Employers and foreign nationals should consult with local experts to ensure compliance with all visa and work permit requirements in Kazakhstan.

Employee background checks in Kazakhstan are governed by the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Labor Code states that employers have the right to conduct background checks on potential employees, but they are required to obtain the employee's consent before doing so.

Employers in Kazakhstan can conduct a variety of background checks, including:

• Criminal record checks
• Employment history checks
• Education verification
• Reference checks
• Medical examinations

Employers are not permitted to conduct credit checks or drug tests on potential employees without their consent.