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Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Vacation and Leave Policies

Understand the regulations on vacation and other types of leave in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

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Holiday leave

In Saint Pierre and Miquelon, employees are granted a minimum of 2.5 working days of paid leave for each month of work, which totals to 30 working days or 5 weeks of paid leave annually.

How Vacation Time is Calculated

The calculation of vacation time is based on a reference period that starts from June 1st and ends on May 31st of the following year. For employees who haven't worked the entire reference period, their leave is prorated based on the actual months they have served.

Procedure for Taking Vacation Leave

The scheduling of vacation leave is determined through a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee. Employers are required to respect a minimum notice period when scheduling vacations. A minimum of 12 consecutive working days of vacation must be taken between May 1st and October 31st.

Special Circumstances for Additional Leave Days

Under certain circumstances, employees may be entitled to additional leave days. For example, extra leave days may be granted based on the length of service. Additional days may also be granted for special events such as marriage, birth of a child, or death of a family member. Collective bargaining agreements may also provide for more generous leave entitlements.

Public holidays

Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French overseas collectivity, celebrates a combination of French national holidays and local commemorations.

National Holidays

  • New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1st.
  • Easter Monday is a movable feast, celebrated the day after Easter Sunday.
  • Labour Day is observed on May 1st.
  • Victory Day is commemorated on May 8th.
  • Ascension Day is another movable feast, observed 40 days after Easter.
  • Whit Monday, yet another movable feast, is celebrated the day after Pentecost Sunday.
  • Bastille Day is observed on July 14th.
  • Assumption of Mary is celebrated on August 15th.
  • All Saints' Day is observed on November 1st.
  • Armistice Day is commemorated on November 11th.
  • Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th.

Local Holidays

  • Basque Festival Day is a local holiday celebrated in August, though the exact date varies.

Types of leave

Employees in Saint Pierre and Miquelon are entitled to various types of leave, as governed by the French Labour Code. Here's an overview of the primary categories:

Annual Paid Leave

Entitlement is 2.5 working days of paid leave per month of work, equating to 30 working days (5 weeks) per year. This is referenced in the French Labour Code, Articles L3141-3 to L3141-27.

Sick Leave

All employees, regardless of tenure, are eligible for sick leave. Employees may receive partial salary continuation from their employer, followed by benefits from the social security system. Medical certification is usually required after a certain period of absence. This is referenced in the French Labour Code, Article L1226-1.

Maternity Leave

The duration of maternity leave varies depending on the number of children already in the family and whether it's a multiple birth. Typically it is between 16-26 weeks total. Compensation is paid by social security at a percentage of the employee's salary. This is referenced in the French Labour Code, Articles L1225-16 to L1225-35.

Paternity Leave

The duration of paternity leave is 11 consecutive days for a single birth, 18 days for multiple births (extends to 32 days if at least 3 children are already in the home). Compensation is paid by social security at a percentage of the employee's salary. This is referenced in the French Labour Code, Articles L1225-35 to L1225-36.

Parental Leave

Parental leave allows parents to take time off to care for a young child. It is available to employees with at least one year of service. It can be taken for up to three years, may be part-time or full-time. Compensation may be partially compensated depending on circumstances. This is referenced in the French Labour Code, Articles L1225-47 to L1225-61.

Other Types of Leave

There are other types of leave such as Family Events Leave, which are short leaves for events like marriage, birth of a child, or death of a family member. Sabbatical Leave may be available for professional development or personal projects. Leave for Specific Circumstances may be granted for civic duties, caring for a sick family member, etc.

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