diff --git a/odex25_hr/hr_base/models/hr_base.py b/odex25_hr/hr_base/models/hr_base.py
index 955d76eff..55d4cf50b 100644
--- a/odex25_hr/hr_base/models/hr_base.py
+++ b/odex25_hr/hr_base/models/hr_base.py
@@ -252,17 +252,22 @@ class HrEmployee(models.Model):
 
     @api.model
     def _default_emp_code(self):
-        seq = self.env['ir.sequence'].next_by_code('hr.employee') or '/'
+        seq = self.env['ir.sequence'].next_by_code('hr.employee') or '1'
+
         emp_seq = self.env['hr.employee'].search([('active', 'in', [False, True])])
 
         numbers = [int(emp.emp_no) for emp in emp_seq if emp.emp_no and emp.emp_no.isdigit()]
+
         max_number = max(numbers) if numbers else 0
 
-        # Ensure the sequence matches the max number + 1
-        if int(seq) != (max_number + 1):
-            currnt_sequence = self.env['ir.sequence'].search([('code', '=', 'hr.employee')], limit=1)
-            currnt_sequence.write({'number_next_actual': max_number + 1})
-            seq = self.env['ir.sequence'].next_by_code('hr.employee') or '/'
+        if seq.isdigit():
+            if int(seq) != (max_number + 1):
+                currnt_sequence = self.env['ir.sequence'].search([('code', '=', 'hr.employee')], limit=1)
+                if currnt_sequence:
+                    currnt_sequence.write({'number_next_actual': max_number + 1})
+                seq = str(max_number + 1)
+        else:
+            seq = str(max_number + 1)
 
         return str(seq)