Managing employee leave entitlements in Lebanon requires a clear understanding of the country's labor laws. These regulations define the minimum rights employees have regarding time off for various reasons, including rest, illness, public observances, and significant life events. Adhering to these statutory requirements is crucial for compliance and maintaining positive employee relations.
Employers operating in Lebanon must navigate specific rules governing annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and different forms of parental and personal leave. These policies ensure employees receive adequate time away from work, contributing to their well-being and productivity.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Lebanon are entitled to a minimum amount of paid annual leave, which typically increases with their length of service. This leave is intended for rest and recreation.
- Employees who have completed at least one year of service are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid annual leave per year.
- After completing five years of service with the same employer, the minimum entitlement increases to 21 days per year.
- Annual leave must generally be taken within the year it is accrued, although specific arrangements can sometimes be made between the employer and employee.
- The timing of annual leave is usually determined by the employer, taking into account the needs of the business and the employee's preferences.
Public Holidays
Lebanon observes a number of public holidays throughout the year, reflecting its diverse cultural and religious landscape. Employees are typically entitled to paid time off on these days. The specific dates for some religious holidays vary each year based on respective calendars.
Common Public Holidays in Lebanon include:
- New Year's Day
- Armenian Orthodox Christmas
- St. Maron's Day
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (date varies)
- Good Friday (Western and Eastern)
- Easter Sunday (Western and Eastern)
- Labour Day
- Liberation Day
- Eid al-Fitr (date varies)
- Eid al-Adha (date varies)
- Assumption Day
- Ashura (date varies)
- All Saints' Day
- Independence Day
- Christmas Day
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, there is generally no statutory requirement to grant a substitute day off, although some employers may choose to do so. Employees required to work on a public holiday are typically entitled to premium pay, often double their regular wage, in addition to their normal salary for that day.
Sick Leave
Employees in Lebanon are entitled to paid sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury, provided they present a medical certificate. The duration of paid sick leave depends on the employee's length of service.
| Length of Service | Paid Sick Leave Entitlement (per year) |
|---|---|
| 3 months - 2 years | Half a month (15 days) at full pay |
| 2 years - 5 years | Half a month (15 days) at full pay, plus half a month (15 days) at half pay |
| 5 years - 10 years | One month (30 days) at full pay, plus one month (30 days) at half pay |
| Over 10 years | One and a half months (45 days) at full pay, plus one and a half months (45 days) at half pay |
- Sick leave entitlements are typically renewed annually.
- A medical certificate from a licensed physician is required to justify sick leave.
- The employer may have the right to verify the employee's condition through their own physician.
Parental Leave
Lebanese labor law provides specific entitlements for maternity leave. Provisions for paternity and adoption leave are less explicitly defined by statute and may depend more on company policy or individual negotiation.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave.
- The statutory maternity leave period is 10 weeks (70 days).
- This leave can be taken before and after childbirth, with a minimum of 40 days required after delivery.
- Maternity leave is paid at the employee's full wage.
- The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) typically covers a portion of the maternity leave pay, with the employer covering the remainder, depending on NSSF registration and contributions.
- An employee cannot be dismissed during maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
There is no specific statutory entitlement for paternity leave under Lebanese labor law. Any time off granted to fathers around the time of childbirth is typically at the employer's discretion or based on company policy.
Adoption Leave
Lebanese labor law does not explicitly provide for adoption leave. Any leave granted to employees adopting a child would be based on company policy or potentially negotiated as unpaid leave or using accrued annual leave.
Other Types of Leave
Lebanese labor law also provides for other specific types of leave under certain circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to a short period of paid leave (often 2-3 days, though not strictly defined by statute for all cases) in the event of the death of a close family member (spouse, parent, child).
- Marriage Leave: Some interpretations and collective agreements may grant a short period of paid leave (e.g., 2 days) for an employee's marriage, though this is not universally mandated by the core labor law for all sectors.
- Study Leave/Sabbatical: There is no statutory entitlement to paid or unpaid leave for study purposes or sabbaticals. Such arrangements are entirely at the discretion of the employer.
- Leave for Official Duties: Employees may be granted leave to perform official duties, such as serving on a jury or appearing in court, though specific provisions and whether such leave is paid may vary.
