Managing employee leave entitlements in French Polynesia requires a clear understanding of local labor laws and regulations. These provisions ensure employees receive adequate time off for rest, holidays, illness, and significant life events, contributing to a compliant and supportive work environment. Employers operating in the territory must adhere to these statutory requirements to ensure fair treatment and legal compliance.
Navigating the specifics of vacation accrual, public holiday observance, sick pay rules, and various types of special leave is crucial for effective workforce management. This guide outlines the key aspects of leave policies applicable in French Polynesia, providing essential information for employers.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in French Polynesia are entitled to paid annual leave based on their length of service. The minimum entitlement is generally 2.5 working days per month of actual service. This accrues over a reference period, typically from June 1st of the previous year to May 31st of the current year.
- Minimum Entitlement: 2.5 working days per month of actual service.
- Total Annual Leave: 30 working days per year for a full year of service (12 months x 2.5 days).
- Accrual Period: Typically June 1st to May 31st.
- Taking Leave: Leave is generally taken during the year following the accrual period. The timing is often determined by collective agreements or company policy, but the employer must consider the employee's request.
- Splitting Leave: Annual leave can generally be split, but one portion must be at least 12 consecutive working days between two weekly rest days.
- Payment: Employees receive their normal salary during annual leave.
Public Holidays
French Polynesia observes a number of 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, specific compensation rules may apply, often involving increased pay or compensatory time off, depending on the specific holiday and collective agreements.
Here are the standard public holidays observed in French Polynesia for 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labor Day |
| May 8 | Victory in Europe Day |
| May 29 | Ascension Day |
| June 9 | Whit Monday |
| July 14 | Bastille Day |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| November 11 | Armistice Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
Note: Some local holidays or observances may also exist.
Sick Leave
Employees in French Polynesia are entitled to sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury. Specific rules govern the duration of paid sick leave and the requirements for medical certification.
- Notification: Employees must inform their employer as soon as possible of their absence due to illness.
- Medical Certificate: A medical certificate is generally required, typically within 48 hours of the start of the absence, especially for absences exceeding a short duration (e.g., 48 hours or 3 days, depending on agreements).
- Payment: The employer is often required to maintain the employee's salary for a certain period, provided the employee meets specific conditions (e.g., length of service, timely submission of medical certificate). The duration of employer-paid sick leave and the percentage of salary paid can vary based on collective agreements and the employee's length of service. After the employer's obligation ceases, social security benefits may provide income replacement.
- Social Security: The employee's social security fund (Caisse de Prévoyance Sociale - CPS) plays a significant role in providing daily allowances for longer periods of sick leave, subject to eligibility criteria.
Parental Leave
French Polynesian law provides for various types of parental leave, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, to support employees welcoming a new child.
- Maternity Leave:
- Duration: Typically 16 weeks (6 weeks before the expected date of birth and 10 weeks after). This duration can be extended in case of multiple births or medical complications.
- Payment: Maternity leave is primarily covered by social security benefits (CPS), providing daily allowances calculated based on the employee's salary. The employer generally does not pay the salary during this period, although some collective agreements might supplement the social security benefits.
- Paternity Leave:
- Duration: A specific number of days is granted to the father or the spouse/partner of the mother. The exact duration is defined by law and may be a fixed number of working days.
- Payment: Paternity leave is also typically compensated through social security benefits (CPS).
- Adoption Leave:
- Duration: Granted to employees adopting a child. The duration varies depending on the number of children adopted and whether the adoption is national or international. It is often comparable to maternity leave.
- Payment: Compensation is provided through social security benefits (CPS).
Other Types of Leave
Beyond standard vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, employees in French Polynesia may be entitled to other types of special leave for specific personal events or circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a few days of paid leave upon the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.). The exact duration depends on the relationship and may be defined by law or collective agreement.
- Marriage Leave: Employees are usually entitled to a few days of paid leave for their own marriage.
- Leave for Family Events: Leave may be granted for other family events such as the marriage of a child or the announcement of a disability in a child.
- Study Leave: Under certain conditions, employees may be eligible for leave to pursue further education or training.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not a statutory right for all employees, some collective agreements or company policies may provide for the possibility of extended unpaid sabbatical leave after a certain period of service.
- Leave for Public Service/Civic Duties: Employees may be granted leave to fulfill certain civic obligations or participate in public service activities.
The specific conditions, duration, and potential payment for these types of leave are often detailed in the French Polynesian Labour Code and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
