Guam's labor laws provide a framework for various types of leave, ensuring employees have time off for rest, illness, family responsibilities, and other personal needs. Understanding these regulations is crucial for employers to maintain compliance and foster a positive work environment. This guide outlines the key aspects of vacation, holiday, sick, parental, and other leave policies in Guam for 2025.
Navigating Guam's leave policies requires attention to detail, as specific entitlements and regulations apply to different types of leave. Employers should familiarize themselves with these requirements to ensure they are providing the legally mandated benefits to their employees.
Annual Vacation Leave
Guam law mandates minimum annual vacation leave for employees, accruing based on years of service.
| Years of Service | Annual Leave Entitlement |
|---|---|
| 1-3 years | 2 weeks |
| 4-9 years | 3 weeks |
| 10+ years | 4 weeks |
Employees typically accrue vacation leave throughout the year, and employers may set policies regarding the timing of leave requests, provided they do not conflict with the minimum entitlements. Unused vacation leave may be carried over to the following year, subject to employer policies.
Public Holidays
Guam observes several public holidays each year. Employees are generally entitled to take these days off with pay. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to premium pay, often at a rate of double their regular wage.
Here is a list of public holidays in Guam for 2025:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 20 |
| President's Day | February 17 |
| Liberation Day | July 21 |
| Labor Day | September 1 |
| Columbus Day | October 13 |
| Veteran's Day | November 11 |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 27 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
In addition to these, Guam also observes other holidays that may be designated by the Governor.
Sick Leave
Guam law requires employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of at least one day for every month of employment.
- Accrual Rate: 1 day per month
- Annual Entitlement: 12 days per year
- Carryover: Employers may set policies regarding carryover of unused sick leave.
Employees can use sick leave for their own illness or injury, or to care for a sick family member. Employers may require a doctor's note for absences exceeding a certain number of days.
Parental Leave
Guam provides parental leave for both mothers and fathers following the birth or adoption of a child.
- Maternity Leave: Eligible female employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
- Paternity Leave: Eligible male employees are entitled to unpaid paternity leave. The duration often aligns with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) standards if the employer is covered by FMLA.
- Adoption Leave: Leave is also available for adoptive parents. The duration and terms are often similar to those for maternity and paternity leave.
While parental leave is typically unpaid, employees may be eligible to use accrued vacation or sick leave to receive some income during this period.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the standard leave types, employees may be eligible for other forms of leave, depending on employer policies and specific circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employers may offer bereavement leave following the death of a close family member. The duration and pay may vary.
- Study Leave: Some employers may provide study leave for employees to pursue educational opportunities.
- Sabbatical Leave: Sabbaticals are typically unpaid extended periods of leave granted to employees for professional development or personal pursuits. These are usually discretionary and subject to employer approval.
- Military Leave: Employees who are members of the National Guard or Reserves are entitled to military leave for training or active duty. Federal law protects their employment rights during such leave.
