Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Belarus. The country's labor code outlines specific requirements for various types of leave, ensuring employees receive adequate rest, time off for personal matters, and support during significant life events. Understanding these regulations is essential for foreign companies employing staff in Belarus, whether directly or through an Employer of Record.
Compliance with Belarusian leave policies involves navigating rules around annual paid vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and special leave. These entitlements are designed to protect employee rights and contribute to a stable work environment. Adhering to these standards is not only a legal obligation but also vital for maintaining good employee relations and operational continuity.
Annual Vacation Leave
In Belarus, employees are generally entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum duration for basic annual leave is 24 calendar days. Certain categories of employees, such as those working in hazardous conditions or specific professions, may be entitled to extended annual leave, which is additional to the basic leave.
Annual leave is typically granted for the working year, which runs from the date the employee started working for the employer. Leave can be taken in parts, but one part must be at least 14 calendar days. The schedule for annual leave is usually agreed upon between the employer and employees and documented in a leave schedule approved by the employer. Unused leave can, in some cases, be carried over to the next working year or compensated upon termination of employment, subject to specific conditions outlined in the labor code.
Public Holidays
Belarus observes several public holidays throughout the year. These days are typically paid days off for employees. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the day off is usually moved to the next working day.
Here are the main public holidays observed in Belarus:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 7 | Orthodox Christmas |
| March 8 | Women's Day |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| May 9 | Victory Day |
| July 3 | Independence Day |
| November 7 | October Revolution Day |
| December 25 | Catholic Christmas |
Note that specific dates for days off related to holidays falling on weekends may be officially announced closer to the date.
Sick Leave
Employees in Belarus are entitled to paid sick leave if they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. To receive sick pay, an employee must obtain a medical certificate (certificate of temporary disability) from a healthcare institution.
Sick pay is calculated based on the employee's average earnings and the duration of the illness. For the first 12 calendar days of illness, sick pay is typically 80% of the average daily earnings. From the 13th calendar day onwards, sick pay is usually 100% of the average daily earnings. There are maximum limits on the amount of sick pay. The employer is responsible for paying sick leave benefits, which are then reimbursed by the state social insurance fund.
Parental Leave
Belarus provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements, primarily for mothers, but also with provisions for fathers and adoptive parents.
- Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave, which typically consists of 70 calendar days before childbirth and 56 calendar days after childbirth (86 days in case of complicated birth or birth of two or more children). This leave is fully paid based on average earnings and is covered by social insurance.
- Leave for Childcare: Following maternity leave, either parent (mother or father), or another relative caring for the child, is entitled to leave for childcare until the child reaches the age of three years. This leave is unpaid, but the person taking the leave receives a state allowance. The job position is retained during this period.
- Paternity Leave: While not a standard, separate block of paid leave like maternity leave, fathers can potentially take the childcare leave mentioned above. Some employers may offer short periods of paid or unpaid leave around the time of birth.
- Adoption Leave: Employees adopting a child are also entitled to leave, similar to maternity and childcare leave, to care for the adopted child.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, the Belarusian Labor Code provides for various other types of leave to accommodate specific employee needs:
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing education in vocational, secondary specialized, or higher education institutions may be granted paid or unpaid leave to attend study sessions, take exams, or prepare and defend diploma projects. The duration and payment depend on the type of education and the employee's performance.
- Leave for Family Reasons and Other Valid Causes: Employees may be granted short-term unpaid leave for personal reasons, such as marriage, birth of a child, or death of close relatives. The duration is typically limited.
- Bereavement Leave: While often covered under "Leave for Family Reasons," employees are generally entitled to a few days of unpaid leave upon the death of a close family member.
- Sabbatical Leave: The concept of extended paid sabbatical leave is not a standard statutory entitlement in Belarus, though it might be agreed upon in collective agreements or individual employment contracts.
- Unpaid Leave: In addition to specific types of unpaid leave, employees can request unpaid leave for other reasons, subject to employer approval. The total duration of unpaid leave granted at the employee's request during a calendar year is generally limited.
