In Saint Lucia, the Labour Act's Section 96 stipulates that all employees are entitled to annual paid vacation leave after their first year of employment.

Calculating Vacation Leave

The calculation of paid vacation leave is based on the number of working days, as outlined in Section 97 of the Labour Act:

• Employees with 1-3 years of service are entitled to 14 working days.
• Employees with 4-7 years of service are entitled to 21 working days.
• Employees with 8-14 years of service are entitled to 24 working days.
• Employees with 15 or more years of service are entitled to 28 working days.

Other Factors to Consider

Unless special arrangements are made with the employer, vacation leave must be taken within the year it was earned. The employee's regular rate of pay immediately before taking the leave is used to calculate pay during vacation leave.

Monthly Paid Workers vs. Daily/Fortnightly Paid Workers

Once their first year of employment is completed, monthly paid workers are entitled to the minimum vacation days immediately. Conversely, after completing 150 working days within their first employment year, daily or fortnightly paid workers are entitled to the minimum vacation days.

Saint Lucia celebrates a number of fixed and variable date public holidays each year.

Fixed Date Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st & 2nd): This holiday marks the beginning of the calendar year.
• Independence Day (February 22nd): This day celebrates Saint Lucia's independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.
• Labor Day (May 1st): Also known as International Workers' Day, this holiday honors the labor movement and workers' contributions.
• Emancipation Day (August 1st): This day commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.
• National Day (December 13th): This holiday celebrates Saint Lucia's patron saint, Saint Lucy.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day (December 26th): This is a traditional day for giving gifts to service workers and the less fortunate.

Variable Date Holidays

• Good Friday: This is the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Easter Monday: This is the Monday following Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus Christ's resurrection.
• Whit Monday: This is the day after Pentecost, a Christian holiday marking the descent of the Holy Spirit.
• Corpus Christi: This is a Catholic feast celebrating the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (Holy Communion).
• Carnival Monday & Tuesday: These are the two days preceding Ash Wednesday, often marked by parades and festivities.
• Thanksgiving Day: This is observed on the second Monday in October, and is a day of gratitude and harvest celebration.

Please note that the specific dates of variable holidays change each year.

Employees in Saint Lucia are entitled to various types of leave after their first year of employment, as stipulated by the Labour Act of Saint Lucia.

Vacation Leave

The Labour Act of Saint Lucia, Sections 96-100, provides the legal basis for vacation leave. Employees become eligible for paid vacation leave after their first year of employment. The entitlement increases based on years of service.

Sick Leave

The Labour Act of Saint Lucia, Section 101, provides the legal basis for sick leave. Employees become eligible after 3 months of consistent employment. Sick leave entitlement includes up to 14 days paid sick leave with a medical certificate. An additional 14 days without a medical certificate may be allowed, but this is at the discretion of the employer.

Maternity Leave

The Labour Act of Saint Lucia, Section 109 and the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Regulations, provide the legal basis for maternity leave. Female employees who have contributed to the NIC for at least 39 weeks and are 6 months into their pregnancy are eligible for 13 weeks of maternity leave. The NIC typically pays most of the salary during maternity leave, and employers may top up the difference to ensure the employee receives their full salary during leave.

Paternity Leave

Paternity leave is typically addressed through collective agreements or company policies, rather than the Labour Act. While not mandated by the Labour Act, many employers provide paternity leave. Commonly offered is up to 5 days of paid leave after the birth of a child.

Bereavement/Compassionate Leave

Bereavement or compassionate leave is generally provided for the death of an employee's immediate family or close relatives. The duration of leave typically varies based on the relationship with the deceased. The legal basis for this type of leave is usually found in collective bargaining agreements or company policies.

Other Types of Leave

Study leave may be granted by employers for professional development or educational purposes. The Labour Act (Section 23) provides general protection against disruptions in employment continuity due to family responsibilities, offering a degree of flexibility in this regard.

It's important to note that eligibility requirements and specifics of certain leave policies (paternity, bereavement) may vary between employers or be negotiated in collective bargaining agreements. The Labour Act of Saint Lucia sets minimum standards; employers can provide more generous leave entitlements.