In Liberia, labor laws, specifically the Decent Work Act of 2015, stipulate certain vacation leave entitlements for employees. These entitlements are only applicable to employees who have completed at least three years of continuous service with the same employer.

Eligibility

The eligibility for paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave, kicks in after an employee has completed a minimum of three years of continuous service with the same employer.

Entitlement

The entitlement varies based on the number of years of service. Employees who have completed three to four years of continuous service are entitled to two weeks of paid vacation leave per year. However, those who have completed five or more years of continuous service are entitled to four weeks of paid vacation leave per year.

Scheduling and Carry-Over

The scheduling of vacation leave is a matter of mutual agreement between the employer and the employee, taking into account the needs of the business. The Decent Work Act of 2015 does not provide clear guidelines on the carry-over of unused vacation leave. Hence, it is recommended to refer to individual employment contracts or company policies for specific guidelines.

Pay During Leave

Employees are entitled to their full normal wages during their vacation leave period.

Important Notes

Public holidays do not count as part of an employee's vacation leave entitlement. It's worth noting that employers have the discretion to offer more generous vacation leave benefits than the statutory minimums outlined in the Decent Work Act.

Liberia, a country on the West African coast, observes several national public holidays throughout the year. These holidays hold significant cultural, historical, and religious importance for the Liberian people.

New Year's Day

Celebrated on January 1st, New Year's Day marks the beginning of a new calendar year.

Armed Forces Day

Observed on February 11th, Armed Forces Day honors the Liberian Armed Forces.

Decoration Day

The second Wednesday in March is Decoration Day, a day for honoring and decorating the graves of deceased loved ones.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts' Birthday

March 15th celebrates the birth of Liberia's first president, Joseph Jenkins Roberts.

National Fast and Prayer Day

The second Friday in April is National Fast and Prayer Day, a day of fasting and prayer for the nation.

National Unification Day

May 14th is National Unification Day, promoting national unity and integration.

Independence Day

July 26th commemorates Liberia's declaration of independence in 1847.

Flag Day

August 24th celebrates the adoption of the Liberian flag.

Thanksgiving Day

The first Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day, a day of expressing gratitude.

William V.S. Tubman's Birthday

November 29th honors the legacy of Liberia's longest-serving president, William V.S. Tubman.

Christmas Day

December 25th celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

In Liberia, the Labor Practices Law outlines several types of leave entitlements for employees.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to annual leave based on their years of service:

• First year of service: 1 week
• First 2 years of service: 2 weeks
• First 3 years of service: 3 weeks
• First 5 years and thereafter: 4 weeks

Annual leave accrues throughout the year of employment. If termination occurs before the employee could take accrued annual leave, they are entitled to compensation for this unused leave.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year of continuous service. Employers may request a medical certificate to validate the sick leave claim.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 5 days of unpaid paternity leave.

Bereavement Leave

While not explicitly mandated by law, some employers may offer a short period of paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of an employee's close family member.

Compassionate Leave

Employers may grant leave for compassionate reasons at their discretion.

It's important to note that individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements may offer more favorable leave provisions than those outlined above. Both employees and employers should be familiar with the terms agreed upon as part of the employment agreement.