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Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Vacation and Leave Policies

Understand the regulations on vacation and other types of leave in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Holiday leave

Employees who have been with the company for at least a year are entitled to a minimum of three working weeks (15 working days) of paid annual leave per year, as per the Employment Ordinance 2016. This leave accrues at a rate of 1.25 working days per month.

Part-time Entitlement

Part-time employees also have a right to leave, but this is calculated on a pro-rata basis, depending on the number of hours they work.

Scheduling

The timing of the holiday leave should be agreed upon by both the employer and the employee. This agreement should take into account the operational needs of the business and the preferences of the employee.

Specific Agreements

It's worth noting that some industries or employment contracts may offer more generous holiday leave provisions than the minimum requirements set out in the Employment Ordinance.

Tristan da Cunha

While the Employment Ordinance applies to all three territories, Tristan da Cunha may have additional local regulations or practices regarding holiday leave.

Public holidays

Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and Tristan da Cunha, all British Overseas Territories, have a variety of public holidays celebrated throughout the year.

Saint Helena

In Saint Helena, the following public holidays are observed:

  • New Year's Day on January 1st
  • Good Friday, a variable date in March or April
  • Easter Monday, a variable date in March or April
  • Saint Helena Day on May 21st
  • Queen's Birthday on the second Monday in June
  • August Bank Holiday on the first Monday in August
  • Remembrance Day on the second Sunday in November
  • Christmas Day on December 25th
  • Boxing Day on December 26th

Ascension Island

In Ascension Island, the public holidays are:

  • New Year's Day on January 1st
  • Good Friday, a variable date in March or April
  • Easter Monday, a variable date in March or April
  • Ascension Day, a variable date in May
  • Queen's Birthday on the second Monday in June
  • Remembrance Day on the second Sunday in November
  • Christmas Day on December 25th
  • Boxing Day on December 26th

Tristan da Cunha

In Tristan da Cunha, the public holidays include:

  • New Year's Day on January 1st
  • Good Friday, a variable date in March or April
  • Easter Monday, a variable date in March or April
  • Anniversary Day, a variable date usually around August 14th (celebrating Tristan da Cunha's official annexation to the British Empire in 1816)
  • Queen's Birthday on the second Monday in June
  • Remembrance Day on the second Sunday in November
  • Christmas Day on December 25th
  • Boxing Day on December 26th

Types of leave

Employees are entitled to various types of leave after completing certain periods of continuous service. These entitlements are regulated by the Employment Ordinance 2016.

Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 15 working days of paid annual leave per year after completing 12 months of continuous service. Leave accrues at a rate of 1.25 days per month.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to paid sick leave after completing six months of continuous service. The exact duration and compensation may depend on the length of service.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave, which can include a period before and after childbirth. Specific regulations govern payment and eligibility criteria.

Paternity Leave

The Employment Ordinance 2016 does not explicitly mandate paternity leave. However, some employers may offer a short period of paternity leave as a benefit.

Bereavement Leave

While not specifically mandated by the Employment Ordinance, many employers offer a short period of paid leave following the death of a close family member.

Other Types of Leave

Unpaid Leave

Employees may be able to request unpaid leave for personal circumstances, subject to employer approval.

Study Leave

Employees may be eligible for leave for educational purposes in specific cases.

Considerations

Individual Contracts

Specific leave entitlements and conditions might be further outlined in individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).

Tristan da Cunha

While governed by the Employment Ordinance, Tristan da Cunha may have some additional specific local practices related to leave.

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