Belarusian labor law establishes comprehensive leave entitlements for employees, balancing work and personal life. These regulations cover annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and various forms of parental and other special leaves, ensuring workers have adequate time off for rest, family responsibilities, and personal matters. Employers in Belarus must adhere to these legal standards, providing the mandated leave benefits to their employees.
Understanding the specifics of these leave policies is crucial for both employers and employees. Belarusian legislation outlines minimum requirements for each type of leave, including duration, eligibility, and compensation. These provisions aim to support employees' well-being while maintaining workforce productivity.
Annual Vacation Leave
The minimum annual vacation leave in Belarus is 24 calendar days. Some categories of employees, such as government officials, researchers, and athletes, may be entitled to longer vacation periods. Employees have the right to take their annual leave in full or divide it into parts, provided that at least one part is no less than 14 calendar days. Vacation time can be carried over to the next year in exceptional cases, but must be used within that subsequent year.
Public Holidays
Belarus observes several public holidays each year. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is typically not moved to another day. Work is generally not performed on these days, with exceptions for organizations providing essential services. The following are the main public holidays in Belarus:
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Orthodox Christmas Day | January 7 |
| Women's Day | March 8 |
| Radonitsa (Day of Rejoicing) | Varies (9 days after Orthodox Easter) |
| Labor Day | May 1 |
| Victory Day | May 9 |
| Independence Day | July 3 |
| October Revolution Day | November 7 |
| Catholic Christmas Day | December 25 |
Sick Leave
Employees in Belarus are entitled to sick leave benefits if they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury. Sick leave is paid by the Social Insurance Fund. The amount of sick pay depends on the employee's length of service and their contributions to the social insurance system. Generally, employees with longer service records receive a higher percentage of their average earnings during sick leave.
- For employees with up to 5 years of service, sick pay is 80% of their average earnings.
- For employees with 5 or more years of service, sick pay is 100% of their average earnings.
Sick leave is granted for the entire period of illness until the employee recovers or is determined to be disabled.
Parental Leave
Belarus provides several types of parental leave to support families:
- Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 70 calendar days of maternity leave before the expected date of childbirth and 56 calendar days after childbirth (70 days in the case of a complicated birth or the birth of two or more children).
- Childcare Leave: Either parent or another relative caring for the child is entitled to childcare leave until the child reaches the age of 3 years. During this leave, the employee retains their job. The state pays a monthly childcare allowance until the child reaches 3 years old.
- Paternity Leave: While there is no specific statutory paternity leave immediately following the birth, fathers can take childcare leave.
- Adoption Leave: Individuals who adopt a child are entitled to similar leave benefits as those granted for childbirth, including leave and financial assistance.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to annual vacation, sick leave, and parental leave, Belarusian labor law provides for other types of leave:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to a few days of paid or unpaid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The specific duration may vary based on the collective agreement or employer policy.
- Study Leave: Employees who are pursuing education with the approval of their employer may be granted study leave to prepare for and take exams. The duration and conditions of study leave are determined by the educational institution and the employer.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not legally mandated, some employers may offer sabbatical leave as part of their benefits package. The terms and conditions of sabbatical leave are determined by the employer's internal policies.
- Unpaid Leave: Employees may request unpaid leave for various reasons, such as family emergencies or personal matters. The granting of unpaid leave is at the employer's discretion.
