In Russia, employees are entitled to various types of leave designed to ensure work-life balance, support families, and provide time off for health needs and other personal circumstances. These entitlements are primarily governed by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, which sets minimum standards that employers must adhere to. Understanding these regulations is crucial for compliance and effective workforce management when employing individuals in Russia.
Navigating the specifics of leave policies, including accrual, scheduling, and payment, requires careful attention to detail. Employers must ensure that their internal policies align with the statutory requirements to avoid potential legal issues and maintain positive employee relations.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Russia are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum duration of this basic paid annual leave is 28 calendar days per year. This leave typically accrues at a rate of 2.33 calendar days per month of employment.
- Minimum Entitlement: 28 calendar days per year.
- Accrual: Generally accrues monthly.
- Scheduling: Leave schedules are typically agreed upon between the employer and employees and formalized in an annual leave schedule no later than two weeks before the start of the calendar year.
- Splitting Leave: Annual leave can be split into parts by agreement between the employee and the employer. However, at least one part of the leave must be no less than 14 calendar days.
- Carryover: Unused leave can generally be carried over to the next working year, but it is recommended that employees take their full entitlement annually. Carrying over leave for more than two consecutive years is generally not permitted.
- Payment: Vacation pay must be paid no later than three full calendar days before the start of the leave.
Certain categories of employees may be entitled to extended annual leave, such as those working in hazardous conditions, individuals with disabilities, or teachers.
Public Holidays
Russia observes a number of public holidays throughout the year. These days are non-working days for all employees. If a public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), the day off is typically moved to the next working day.
Here are the standard Russian public holidays:
| Date(s) | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1-6 | New Year Holidays |
| January 7 | Orthodox Christmas |
| February 23 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| March 8 | International Women's Day |
| May 1 | Spring and Labor Day |
| May 9 | Victory Day |
| June 12 | Russia Day |
| November 4 | National Unity Day |
Note that specific bridge days or additional days off may be declared by the government, particularly around the New Year period, resulting in longer holiday periods.
Sick Leave Policies and Pay
Employees in Russia are entitled to paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. To receive sick pay, an employee must provide a medical certificate (bolnichny list) issued by a licensed healthcare provider.
- Entitlement: Sick leave is granted for the duration of the illness as certified by a doctor.
- Sick Pay Calculation: Sick pay is calculated based on the employee's average earnings over the previous two calendar years and their length of service.
- Less than 5 years of service: 60% of average earnings
- 5 to 8 years of service: 80% of average earnings
- 8 years or more of service: 100% of average earnings
- Payment Responsibility: The employer pays for the first three days of sick leave. Starting from the fourth day, the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation (now part of the Social Fund of Russia) pays the sick benefit.
- Maximum Benefit: There is a maximum limit on the daily sick pay benefit, which is updated annually.
Parental Leave
Russian law provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements, including maternity leave, paternity leave, and childcare leave.
Maternity Leave
Maternity leave (pregnancy and childbirth leave) is granted to expectant mothers.
- Duration: Typically 70 calendar days before the birth and 70 calendar days after the birth (140 days total).
- In case of multiple births: 84 days before and 110 days after (194 days total).
- In case of complicated birth: 70 days before and 86 days after (156 days total).
- Payment: Paid at 100% of the average earnings over the previous two calendar years, funded by the Social Fund of Russia.
Childcare Leave
Following maternity leave, either parent (or another relative caring for the child) is entitled to childcare leave until the child reaches the age of three.
- Duration: Up to the child's third birthday.
- Payment:
- Paid monthly allowance until the child reaches 1.5 years old. This allowance is 40% of the average earnings over the previous two years, subject to minimum and maximum limits, funded by the Social Fund of Russia.
- From 1.5 to 3 years old, a small monthly compensation may be payable, though the primary paid benefit ends at 1.5 years.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to take childcare leave instead of or in turns with the mother. There is no separate statutory paid leave specifically for the birth of a child for fathers, but they can take unpaid leave by agreement with the employer or utilize their annual leave entitlement.
Adoption Leave
Similar leave provisions apply to employees adopting children, mirroring maternity and childcare leave entitlements based on the age and number of adopted children.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Russian law provides for several other types of leave:
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for personal reasons. Granting such leave is generally at the employer's discretion, except for specific cases where the employer is obliged to grant it (e.g., for certain categories of employees, or specific life events like marriage, birth of a child, or death of a close relative, typically up to 5 calendar days).
- Study Leave: Employees studying in accredited educational institutions may be entitled to paid or unpaid leave for exams, coursework, and thesis defense, depending on the type of study and the employee's level of education.
- Bereavement Leave: While not a separate statutory paid leave type for all cases, employees are entitled to up to 5 calendar days of unpaid leave in case of the death of a close relative.
- Leave for Employees with Disabilities: Employees with disabilities are entitled to extended annual leave (minimum 30 calendar days) and may have other specific leave rights.
- Leave for Care of Disabled Children: Parents of children with disabilities are entitled to four additional paid days off per month, which can be used by one parent or shared between them.
