In Ukraine, the law stipulates that employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 calendar days of paid vacation leave per year. However, this entitlement extends to longer periods for certain categories of workers. These include employees under 18 years of age, those engaged in hazardous or difficult work, and employees with disabilities.

The entitlement to vacation leave is contingent on uninterrupted employment with the same employer. If there are unused leave days, employees generally have the option to carry them over to the subsequent year or receive financial compensation for them. The scheduling of vacation leave is often a mutual decision between employers and employees, with the understanding that employers need to grant leave with advance notice.

Entitlement

• General Rule: The law stipulates a minimum of 24 calendar days of paid vacation leave per year for employees.
• Enhanced Entitlements: Longer periods of annual leave are granted to certain categories of workers, including:
  • Employees under 18 years of age
  • Employees engaged in hazardous or difficult work
  • Employees with disabilities

Important Considerations

• Continuous Service: The entitlement to vacation leave is contingent on uninterrupted employment with the same employer.
• Unused Leave: Employees generally have the option to carry over some unused leave days to the subsequent year or receive financial compensation for them.
• Scheduling: The scheduling of vacation leave is often a mutual decision between employers and employees, with the understanding that employers need to grant leave with advance notice.

In Ukraine, there are several public holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. These holidays are divided into national and religious holidays.

National Holidays

Ukraine celebrates the following national holidays:

• New Year's Day on January 1st
• Defender of Ukraine Day on October 14th
• Constitution Day on June 28th
• Independence Day on August 24th

Religious Holidays

In addition to national holidays, Ukraine also observes a number of religious holidays. The country celebrates both Orthodox Christian and Catholic holidays, with dates based on the respective religious calendars. These include:

• Orthodox Christmas on January 7th
• International Women's Day on March 8th
• Orthodox Easter Sunday and Monday
• Labor Day on May 1st
• Victory Day on May 9th
• Catholic Easter Sunday and Monday, which is observed in some regions
• Pentecost, also known as Trinity Sunday, is celebrated by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.

In Ukraine, employees are entitled to various types of leave.

Annual Leave (Vacation Leave)

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 calendar days of paid annual leave per year. Those under 18 or over 50 years old get 31 days, and employees with disabilities can receive up to 30 days depending on their specific classification.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to paid sick leave after completing a probationary period with their employer. The duration varies and sick leave requires a medical certificate. The specific length depends on seniority.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 126 calendar days of paid maternity leave, before and after childbirth.

Parental Leave

One parent (mother or father) can take parental leave to care for a child up to the age of three years. This leave can be partially paid (up to 100% of the average salary for the previous six months) or unpaid.

Other Notable Leave Types

Bereavement Leave

Employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave following the death of an immediate family member.

Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements

Leave provisions may be negotiated within collective agreements for unionized employees.

Important Considerations

Employers may offer more generous leave provisions than the legal minimums outlined in the Labor Code. These would be specified in employment contracts or employee handbooks.