Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a critical aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Venezuela. The country's labor laws, primarily the Organic Labor Law for Workers and Workers (LOTTT), establish clear guidelines regarding various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to ensure they meet their legal obligations and maintain fair labor practices.
Venezuelan law provides specific minimum entitlements for employees regarding paid time off. These provisions are designed to protect workers' rights to rest, recover from illness, and attend to personal and family matters. Employers must adhere to these statutory requirements, which cover everything from the accrual of vacation days to the duration and payment of leave for specific life events like childbirth or illness.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Venezuela are entitled to paid annual vacation leave after completing one full year of continuous service with an employer. The minimum entitlement increases with seniority.
- Initial Entitlement: 15 working days after completing one year of service.
- Accrual: For each subsequent year of service, employees are entitled to one additional working day of vacation, up to a maximum of 15 additional working days. This means after 16 years of service, the maximum annual entitlement reaches 30 working days (15 initial + 15 additional).
- Timing: Vacation must be taken within three months following the date the entitlement accrues.
- Payment: Employees must receive payment for their vacation days, plus a vacation bonus equivalent to at least 15 days' salary. This bonus increases by one day's salary for each subsequent year of service, up to a maximum of 30 days' salary.
Here is a summary of the minimum annual leave accrual:
| Years of Service | Minimum Working Days of Vacation | Minimum Vacation Bonus (Days' Salary) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 15 |
| 2 | 16 | 16 |
| 3 | 17 | 17 |
| ... | ... | ... |
| 16+ | 30 | 30 |
Public Holidays
Venezuela observes a number of national public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these dates. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to premium pay.
Here are the public holidays observed in Venezuela in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epiphany (Día de Reyes) |
| February 24 | Carnival Monday |
| February 25 | Carnival Tuesday |
| April 17 | Maundy Thursday |
| April 18 | Good Friday |
| April 19 | Declaration of Independence |
| May 1 | International Workers' Day |
| June 24 | Battle of Carabobo |
| July 5 | Independence Day |
| July 24 | Simon Bolivar's Birthday |
| October 12 | Indigenous Resistance Day |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve (half-day) |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve (half-day) |
Note: Some regional or local holidays may also be observed.
Sick Leave Policies and Pay
Employees in Venezuela who are unable to work due to illness or injury are entitled to sick leave. The process involves obtaining a medical certificate.
- Entitlement: Sick leave duration depends on the medical condition and is certified by a doctor.
- Payment: The first three days of sick leave are typically paid by the employer. From the fourth day onwards, the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (IVSS) is responsible for paying a percentage of the employee's salary as a subsidy, provided the employee is registered with the IVSS and has the required contributions. The subsidy amount and duration are determined by the IVSS based on the medical condition and the employee's contribution history.
- Requirements: A valid medical certificate issued by a registered doctor is required to justify sick leave.
Parental Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoption)
Venezuelan law provides comprehensive parental leave entitlements for mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents.
- Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave. This leave typically begins six weeks before the expected delivery date and continues for 20 weeks after childbirth. In cases of multiple births or complications, the leave may be extended. Maternity leave is paid by the IVSS.
- Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to 14 consecutive working days of paid paternity leave following the birth of their child. This leave is paid by the employer.
- Adoption Leave: Employees who adopt a child under three years old are also entitled to parental leave. One parent (typically the mother or primary caregiver) is entitled to 26 weeks of leave, similar to maternity leave, paid by the IVSS. The other parent is entitled to 14 consecutive working days, similar to paternity leave, paid by the employer.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond the main categories, Venezuelan law and common practice recognize other types of leave, though entitlements may vary based on collective agreements or employer policy.
- Bereavement Leave: While not explicitly mandated by the LOTTT for all cases, it is common practice and often stipulated in collective agreements for employees to receive a few days of paid leave (typically 3 working days) in the event of the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent, sibling).
- Marriage Leave: Some collective agreements or company policies grant employees a few days of paid leave (often 3 working days) for their own marriage.
- Study Leave: Leave for educational purposes is not a general statutory right but may be granted at the employer's discretion or as agreed upon in collective bargaining agreements, particularly for training related to the employee's job.
- Civic Duty Leave: Employees are entitled to paid leave to fulfill civic duties, such as voting or serving on a jury if required.
