Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in the Dominican Republic. The country's labor code outlines specific requirements regarding various types of leave, ensuring employees receive time off for rest, illness, family events, and national observances. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to maintain legal compliance and foster a positive working environment.
Employers must adhere to the statutory minimums for annual vacation, recognize official public holidays, and follow established procedures for sick leave and parental leave. Navigating these requirements can be complex, particularly for foreign companies expanding into the Dominican Republic.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in the Dominican Republic are entitled to paid annual vacation leave based on their length of service with the company. The minimum entitlement increases with the number of years an employee has been employed.
- After one year of continuous service: 14 working days
- After five years of continuous service: 18 working days
Vacation must be granted within the six months following the date the employee becomes eligible. The employee receives their regular salary during the vacation period, plus an additional payment equivalent to one day's salary for every year of service, up to a maximum of 15 days' salary. Vacation days are typically considered working days, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Public Holidays
The Dominican Republic observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to double pay for the hours worked. Some holidays are fixed dates, while others are movable.
Here are the public holidays for 2025:
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Fixed |
| January 6 | Epiphany (Día de Reyes) | Movable |
| January 21 | Our Lady of High Grace | Fixed |
| January 26 | Duarte's Birthday | Movable |
| February 27 | Independence Day | Fixed |
| April 18 | Good Friday | Fixed |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Movable |
| June 19 | Corpus Christi | Fixed |
| August 16 | Restoration Day | Fixed |
| September 24 | Our Lady of Mercy | Fixed |
| November 6 | Constitution Day | Movable |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Fixed |
Note: Movable holidays are typically observed on the nearest Monday if they fall on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, unless otherwise specified by law.
Sick Leave
Employees in the Dominican Republic are entitled to sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. To be eligible for paid sick leave benefits, employees must present a medical certificate from a doctor affiliated with the Dominican Social Security System (Sistema Dominicano de Seguridad Social - SDSS).
The payment of sick leave benefits is primarily handled through the SDSS. The employer is generally responsible for paying a portion of the employee's salary for the first few days of illness, after which the SDSS covers a percentage of the salary for a specified period, depending on the nature and duration of the illness. The exact percentages and duration covered by the employer and the SDSS are defined by social security regulations.
Parental Leave
The Dominican Labor Code provides specific entitlements for parental leave, primarily focusing on maternity leave.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to paid maternity leave. The standard duration is 14 weeks (84 days), which can be taken before and after childbirth. Typically, this leave is divided into a period before the expected delivery date and a period after childbirth, as determined by the employee and medical advice. During maternity leave, the employee receives a subsidy from the SDSS, calculated based on her average salary. The employer is responsible for ensuring the employee receives the full amount of her regular salary during this period, covering any difference between the SDSS subsidy and the employee's full pay.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to a short period of paid paternity leave upon the birth of their child. The standard entitlement is two working days.
Adoption Leave
Female employees who adopt a child are generally entitled to similar leave provisions as maternity leave, allowing time to bond with the newly adopted child. The specific duration and conditions may align with maternity leave entitlements.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the primary categories, the Dominican Labor Code and common practice recognize other situations where employees may be granted leave:
- Bereavement Leave: While not explicitly mandated by the Labor Code for all cases, employers often grant a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member.
- Study Leave: There is no general legal entitlement to paid study leave, but some collective bargaining agreements or company policies may provide for it.
- Marriage Leave: Some companies may offer a short period of paid leave for an employee's marriage, although this is not a statutory requirement.
- Union Activities: Employees who are union representatives may be entitled to time off for specific union duties as outlined in the Labor Code or collective agreements.
