Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Jersey. The island's employment law sets out clear minimum standards for various types of leave, ensuring employees receive adequate time off for rest, illness, and significant life events. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to maintain legal compliance and foster a positive working environment.
Employers in Jersey must adhere to statutory requirements regarding annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. While these represent the minimum entitlements, many employers choose to offer more generous provisions as part of their employee benefits package. Navigating these requirements accurately is key to effective workforce management.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Jersey are entitled to a statutory minimum amount of paid annual leave. This entitlement accrues from the start of employment.
The minimum paid annual leave entitlement is:
- Two weeks during the first year of employment.
- Three weeks during the second year of employment.
- Four weeks from the third year of employment onwards.
This leave can be taken as a continuous period or in shorter blocks, subject to agreement between the employer and employee. Employers typically have policies regarding how leave requests are made and approved, ensuring business needs are met while accommodating employee preferences where possible.
Public Holidays
In addition to annual leave, employees in Jersey are entitled to time off for public holidays. There are typically nine public holidays observed each year. When a public holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is often observed, usually the next working day.
The public holidays expected to be observed in Jersey in 2025 are:
| Date | Day of Week | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year's Day |
| April 18 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 5 | Monday | May Day |
| May 26 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| June 9 | Monday | Liberation Day |
| August 25 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Friday | Boxing Day |
Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these public holidays. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, their contract of employment should specify the terms, which may include enhanced pay or time off in lieu.
Sick Leave
Employees in Jersey are entitled to paid sick leave after a qualifying period of employment. The entitlement increases with the length of service.
The statutory minimum paid sick leave entitlement is:
- One week after 13 weeks of continuous employment.
- Two weeks after one year of continuous employment.
- Four weeks after five years of continuous employment.
To be eligible for paid sick leave, an employee must notify their employer of their absence and the reason for it as soon as reasonably practicable. For absences exceeding a certain duration (typically seven consecutive days, including weekends), employers can require a medical certificate from a doctor. Employers may have their own sick pay schemes that offer more generous terms than the statutory minimum.
Parental Leave
Jersey law provides entitlements for employees taking leave in relation to the birth or adoption of a child, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
Maternity Leave
Pregnant employees are entitled to up to 26 weeks of maternity leave. This is split into:
- Two weeks of compulsory leave immediately following the birth.
- Up to 24 weeks of ordinary maternity leave.
Employees may be entitled to statutory maternity pay if they meet certain eligibility criteria related to length of service and earnings. The amount and duration of statutory maternity pay are subject to specific regulations.
Paternity Leave
Fathers or partners of the mother are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave. This leave must be taken within a specific period around the birth. Employees may be eligible for statutory paternity pay if they meet the relevant criteria.
Adoption Leave
Employees adopting a child are entitled to adoption leave, similar to maternity leave, with the primary adopter entitled to up to 26 weeks of leave. The partner of the primary adopter may be entitled to paternity leave. Eligibility for statutory adoption pay depends on meeting specific service and earnings conditions.
Other Leave Types
While not all types of leave are covered by specific statutory entitlements in the same way as annual, sick, and parental leave, employers in Jersey may offer other forms of leave, often outlined in employment contracts or company policies. These can include:
- Bereavement Leave: Time off following the death of a close family member. The duration and whether it is paid can vary depending on the employer's policy.
- Study Leave: Leave granted for employees to undertake training or study relevant to their role or career development.
- Sabbatical Leave: Extended periods of unpaid leave, sometimes offered to long-serving employees for rest, travel, or personal projects.
- Jury Service: Employees are legally required to attend jury service if summoned. Employers are not statutorily required to pay employees during jury service, although some may choose to do so.
Employers should clearly define their policies for these and any other types of leave offered to ensure consistency and transparency with their employees.
