Managing employee leave entitlements in Zambia requires a clear understanding of the country's labour laws and standard practices. Employers must ensure their policies align with statutory requirements to maintain compliance and support their workforce effectively. This includes provisions for annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and other specific circumstances that necessitate time off work.
Adhering to these regulations is essential for operational continuity and fostering a positive employee relationship. Companies operating in Zambia, whether through local entities or via an Employer of Record, must navigate these requirements carefully to ensure fair treatment and legal compliance for all employees.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Zambia are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement is generally 24 working days per year for employees who have completed at least 12 months of continuous service. Leave accrues proportionally for employees who have not yet completed a full year of service.
- Leave is typically taken in blocks, though shorter periods may be agreed upon.
- Employers must maintain accurate records of leave accrued and taken by each employee.
- Leave cannot generally be forfeited, although specific agreements on carrying over leave may exist within the bounds of the law.
Public Holidays
Zambia observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are typically entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is often observed as a public holiday.
Here are the anticipated public holidays for 2025:
| Date | Holiday | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Wednesday |
| March 10 | International Women's Day (Observed) | Monday |
| March 12 | Youth Day | Wednesday |
| April 18 | Good Friday | Friday |
| April 19 | Easter Saturday | Saturday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Thursday |
| May 26 | Africa Freedom Day (Observed) | Monday |
| July 7 | Heroes Day | Monday |
| July 8 | Unity Day | Tuesday |
| August 5 | Farmers Day | Tuesday |
| October 20 | National Prayer Day (Observed) | Monday |
| October 24 | Independence Day | Friday |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Thursday |
Note: Observed days for holidays falling on weekends are subject to official government declaration.
Sick Leave
Employees in Zambia are entitled to paid sick leave. The specific entitlement can vary, but a common provision is up to 26 working days of paid sick leave in any period of 12 consecutive months.
- To qualify for paid sick leave, an employee is typically required to provide a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner.
- Sick leave is intended for periods when an employee is unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Abuse of sick leave provisions can lead to disciplinary action.
Parental Leave
Zambian law provides for parental leave, primarily covering maternity leave for female employees.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are generally entitled to 14 weeks (98 days) of paid maternity leave. This leave can typically be taken starting up to 8 weeks before the expected date of confinement. To be eligible, an employee must usually have completed a certain period of continuous service with the employer (e.g., 2 years). Maternity leave is often paid at a percentage of the employee's basic pay, sometimes covered by social security contributions.
- Paternity Leave: While not as extensive as maternity leave, some provisions or company policies may allow for a short period of paid paternity leave for fathers upon the birth of a child. This is often a few days.
- Adoption Leave: Specific statutory provisions for adoption leave may exist or be covered under general leave policies, though it is less commonly defined than maternity leave.
Other Leave Types
Beyond the primary categories, employees may be entitled to or granted other types of leave depending on specific circumstances or company policy. These can include:
- Bereavement Leave: Time off granted to an employee following the death of a close family member. The duration is typically short, often a few days.
- Study Leave: Leave granted to employees pursuing further education or training relevant to their work. This may be paid or unpaid and is often subject to company policy and agreement.
- Sabbatical Leave: Longer periods of leave, often unpaid, granted after many years of service for personal or professional development. This is not a statutory entitlement but may be offered by employers.
- Compassionate Leave: Leave granted for urgent personal matters or emergencies not covered by other leave types.
The availability and terms of these 'other' leave types are often determined by the employer's internal policies and employment contracts, provided they do not contravene statutory minimums.
