Max Messenger Is Set to Be Used for Employment Document Management

Regulatory Framework

The Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation has drafted amendments to the Labor Code that would formally allow the use of the Max messenger for electronic document exchange between employers and employees. The proposal envisages that, starting September 1, 2026, Max could be legally recognized as a communication channel for employment-related documentation. Under the initiative, employers’ information systems and the national digital platform Rabota v Rossii (Work in Russia) would be able to connect to Max to exchange documents.

Employers would be allowed to deliver documents, copies of documents, and documents signed with a simple electronic signature via Max. Employment contracts for remote work, as well as addenda to such contracts, could also be concluded through Max using an unqualified electronic signature on the employee’s side.

In practical terms, the draft law establishes Max as a legally valid digital channel for official labor documentation. This represents a meaningful step in the digitization of HR interactions and formal employer-employee communications.

For businesses, adoption of the bill would simplify document exchange, reduce administrative overhead, and increase the speed of internal communications. For employees, it would make receiving and submitting official documents more convenient by using a familiar messenger interface.

Integrations and Reach

Embedding the legal status of Max into the Labor Code could accelerate companies’ transition toward fully electronic workflows. While electronic document exchange is already available through state services, the proposed amendments introduce an alternative route via a private national messenger. The use of unqualified electronic signatures through Max also expands options for remote employment arrangements, which is especially relevant for flexible work models such as remote work and freelancing.

Much is being said about reliability, but it is important that it continues to improve, so that no gaps emerge, which often appear precisely when new functions are introduced. There is hope that the national messenger, whose story is only just beginning, in this regard will not fail. If Max ultimately operates as a true ‘single window,’ it would be a major breakthrough and a real help for our citizens

Natalia Kosikhina

Senator and Member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy

Strengthening Max’s position may also boost its visibility and adoption in international business environments, particularly in regions where Russian-language digital ecosystems play a significant role. However, the primary focus at this stage remains the domestic market. Here, Max is likely to see widespread adoption in HR processes at medium and large enterprises, integration with corporate HRM and ERP systems, and the rollout of additional document-management modules. Integration with other government information systems, such as social insurance funds and pension services, is also possible, further expanding the scope of digital interaction between employers and public institutions.

At the same time, detailed attention will need to be paid to data security and the storage of personal information when a messenger is used for official document exchange. Ensuring the legal validity of simple electronic signatures at scale in corporate environments remains another key challenge.

Demand for Digital Formats

The development of electronic document management in labor relations has been one of the core directions of digital transformation in Russia in recent years. Between 2022 and 2024, the use of electronic workflows through state services and corporate platforms increased steadily. HR communities have been actively discussing the practice of concluding employment contracts in digital form, with professional publications and practical guidelines reflecting growing business demand for convenient digital formats.

Specialized HR services and platforms continue to emerge, including digital signature tools, corporate portals, and cloud-based HRIS solutions. This underscores a long-term shift away from paper-based processes. State service portals and platforms such as Rabota v Rossii already provide electronic interaction channels, making integration with mobile services the next logical step in the digitalization journey.

As for Max, the messenger continues to strengthen its position as a national platform. Its functionality and user base keep expanding. By the end of 2025, its audience reportedly exceeded 80 million users, alongside the rollout of business services and mini-applications.

Lowering Barriers

The proposed amendments to the Labor Code represent formal legal recognition of a digital messenger as an official channel for employment document management. This could significantly lower barriers to digital interaction between employers and employees, speeding up HR operations and improving usability of digital tools. Establishing a legal foundation for Max also supports the development of national digital infrastructure and reduces reliance on foreign platforms.

Over the next two to three years, mass integration of employer systems with Max is expected, along with the development of APIs and ready-made technical solutions to automate document workflows. The list of officially recognized digital channels in the Labor Code may also expand to include other domestic platforms. In the longer term, a shift toward more advanced electronic signatures through such platforms appears likely.