Technically speaking, a replacement employment contract is a kind of the employment contract for a definite period of time. However, because of its special purpose, it is governed by some other rules e.g. on termination.
A replacement employee is hired to substitute for the employee during his or her justified absence from work. Because of that the duration of the replacement employment contract normally covers the period of the replaced employee’s absence. Although there are no minimum requirements with respect to the length of the replacement period, in practice usually long-lasting absences (i.e. resulting from an illness or maternity/childcare leave) are dealt with by hiring replacement employees.
Unlike regular employment contracts for a definite period of time, replacement contracts may be terminated by notice even if they do not contain a clause to that effect. The notice period is 3 working days.