Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in North Macedonia. The country's labor laws stipulate various types of leave that employers must provide, ensuring employees have adequate time off for rest, personal matters, illness, and family responsibilities. Understanding these regulations is essential for businesses employing staff in the region, whether through a local entity or via an Employer of Record.
Compliance with Macedonian leave policies involves navigating specific requirements for annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and special leave. These entitlements are designed to protect employee well-being and are mandated by law, requiring careful adherence by employers to avoid potential legal issues and maintain positive employee relations.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in North Macedonia are entitled to a minimum amount of paid annual leave. The specific duration depends on factors such as length of service and the nature of the work, but a statutory minimum is established.
- Minimum Entitlement: The minimum annual leave entitlement is 20 working days per calendar year.
- Maximum Entitlement: The maximum annual leave entitlement is 26 working days per calendar year, unless otherwise specified in a collective agreement or employment contract based on specific criteria like complexity of work, working conditions, or length of service.
- Accrual: Leave is typically accrued based on the period of employment.
- Usage: Employees generally must use their annual leave within the calendar year it is accrued, although there may be provisions for carrying over a portion of unused leave to the following year under specific conditions, usually until June 30th of the next year.
- Timing: The timing of annual leave is usually determined by agreement between the employer and employee, taking into account the employer's business needs and the employee's preferences.
Public Holidays
North Macedonia observes a number of public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to paid time off on these days. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to increased compensation or compensatory time off.
Here are the public holidays expected for 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | |
| January 7 | Christmas Day | Orthodox Christmas |
| April 21 | Easter Monday | Orthodox Easter |
| May 1 | Labour Day | |
| May 24 | Saints Cyril and Methodius Day | Day of Macedonian All-Slavonic Educators |
| August 2 | Republic Day | Ilinden |
| September 8 | Independence Day | |
| October 11 | Day of the People's Uprising | |
| October 23 | Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle | |
| December 8 | Saint Clement of Ohrid Day |
Note: Some holidays may have specific observances for certain religious or ethnic groups, providing additional days off for members of those communities.
Sick Leave Policies
Employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury are entitled to sick leave. The process involves notifying the employer and providing a medical certificate.
- Entitlement: Employees are entitled to paid sick leave.
- Duration: The duration of sick leave depends on the medical condition. For short-term absences (typically up to 30 days), the employer is responsible for paying compensation.
- Compensation: For sick leave up to 30 days, the employer pays compensation, usually at a rate of 80% of the employee's average salary over the previous 12 months. For sick leave exceeding 30 days, compensation is paid by the Health Insurance Fund, typically at a rate of 80% of the average salary, but this can vary based on the cause of illness/injury.
- Medical Certificate: A medical certificate from a licensed physician is required to validate sick leave, usually from the first day of absence.
Parental Leave
North Macedonian law provides for various types of leave related to childbirth and childcare, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave. The duration is typically 9 months, starting 28 days before the expected date of birth. In case of multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.), the leave is extended to 15 months. Compensation during maternity leave is paid by the Health Insurance Fund, usually at 100% of the average salary over the previous 12 months.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to a short period of paid leave upon the birth of a child. This is typically 7 working days.
- Adoption Leave: Employees who adopt a child are entitled to adoption leave. The duration depends on the age of the adopted child, typically mirroring maternity leave entitlements for children up to a certain age. Compensation is also provided by the Health Insurance Fund.
- Childcare Leave: Following maternity or adoption leave, one parent may be entitled to additional unpaid leave to care for the child until they reach a certain age, subject to specific conditions and agreements.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the primary categories, employees in North Macedonia may be entitled to other types of paid or unpaid leave for specific circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The duration is usually 7 working days for the death of a spouse, child, parent, or sibling, and 2 working days for the death of other close relatives.
- Study Leave: Employees pursuing education related to their profession may be granted paid or unpaid study leave, depending on the employment contract, collective agreement, or employer policy.
- Leave for Personal Reasons: Employees may be granted up to 7 working days of paid leave per year for important personal reasons (e.g., marriage, relocation).
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for various reasons, subject to employer approval. The duration and conditions are typically agreed upon between the employer and employee.
