Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Understanding the specific regulations governing various types of leave, from annual vacation to sick leave and parental leave, is essential for employers to ensure they meet their legal obligations and support their workforce effectively.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's labor laws provide a framework for employee leave, outlining minimum entitlements and conditions. These regulations aim to protect employee well-being and provide necessary time off for rest, illness, and significant life events. Adhering to these standards is key to smooth operations and maintaining a positive employment relationship within the country.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina are entitled to a minimum amount of paid annual leave. The specific duration is determined by law and may be increased based on factors such as length of service, working conditions, and employee qualifications, as stipulated by collective agreements or employment contracts.
- The minimum duration of annual leave is typically 20 working days per calendar year.
- Some categories of employees, such as those working in difficult conditions or with disabilities, may be entitled to additional days.
- Annual leave is generally taken in one continuous period, but it can be split into parts by agreement between the employer and employee, provided that one part lasts at least 12 working days.
- Employees are usually required to use their annual leave within the calendar year, although there may be provisions for carrying over a portion of unused leave to the following year under specific conditions.
- During annual leave, employees are entitled to compensation equivalent to their regular salary.
Public Holidays
Bosnia and Herzegovina observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to paid time off on these days. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to increased compensation or compensatory time off.
Here are the public holidays typically observed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 2 | New Year's Day |
| March 1 | Independence Day |
| May 1 | International Labor Day |
| May 2 | International Labor Day |
| November 21 | Dayton Agreement Day |
| November 25 | Statehood Day |
Note: Some holidays may be specific to one of the two entities (Federation of BiH or Republika Srpska) or Brčko District, and religious holidays (like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Orthodox Christmas, Orthodox Easter, Catholic Christmas, Catholic Easter) are also observed based on individual religious affiliation, with employees typically entitled to paid leave on these days according to their religious calendar.
Sick Leave
Employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury are entitled to sick leave. The duration and compensation for sick leave are regulated by law and social security provisions.
- For short-term illnesses, the employer typically covers the initial period of sick leave (e.g., the first 42 days).
- After the initial period, compensation is usually covered by the relevant health insurance fund.
- The amount of sick pay is generally a percentage of the employee's average salary, often ranging from 70% to 90%, depending on the duration of the leave and the specific regulations of the entity or district.
- A medical certificate from a healthcare professional is required to justify sick leave.
- There is no statutory limit on the total duration of sick leave, but long-term illness may lead to a review of the employee's work capacity by a medical board.
Parental Leave
Bosnia and Herzegovina provides various types of parental leave to support employees welcoming a new child, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to maternity leave, typically starting 28 days before the expected delivery date and lasting for a total of one year (12 months). In some cases, this period can be extended. During maternity leave, employees are entitled to compensation, usually paid by the health insurance fund, calculated as a percentage of their average salary.
- Paternity Leave: While traditional paternity leave is not as extensively regulated as maternity leave, fathers may be entitled to a short period of paid leave around the time of the child's birth, often a few days, depending on collective agreements or internal company policies.
- Adoption Leave: Employees who adopt a child are also entitled to leave, similar in duration and conditions to maternity leave, to care for the adopted child.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the primary types of leave, employees in Bosnia and Herzegovina may be entitled to other forms of leave for specific circumstances:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member.
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing further education relevant to their work may be granted paid or unpaid leave for exams or study purposes, often regulated by collective agreements or internal policies.
- Leave for Blood Donation: Employees donating blood are usually entitled to paid leave for the day of donation.
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons, subject to employer approval. The conditions and duration of unpaid leave are usually determined by internal regulations or mutual agreement.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbatical leave is not a statutory entitlement but may be offered by some employers as part of their benefits package or through individual agreements.
