közalkalmazott

Közalkalmazott is a public employee in Hungary who works under the közalkalmazotti jogviszony, a legal relationship governing employment in certain public institutions. This status covers staff employed by state, local government, and public entities in roles that support public administration and services.

The term is used for employees in a wide range of public-sector workplaces, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, social welfare facilities, libraries, museums, and municipal offices. It is distinct from other public employment statuses such as the köztisztviselő (public servant) and other public service roles, each governed by its own set of rules and career paths.

The legal framework for közalkalmazottak is formed mainly by laws on public employment and sector-specific regulations. Employment can be on permanent or fixed-term contracts, with recruitment and working conditions shaped by general labor law and internal public-body procedures. Typical rights include working time provisions, paid leave, social security contributions, and salary scales or collective agreements. Employees may have access to grievance mechanisms and protection against dismissal under defined statutory grounds, as well as participation in unions and collective bargaining on pay and conditions.

In comparison to köztisztviselők, közalkalmazottak operate under different statutory provisions related to status, progression, and pension rights. The category encompasses a broad spectrum of frontline public-sector occupations and remains widely used to describe personnel in education, health care, municipal services, and other public services in Hungary.