Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements is a crucial aspect of compliance and employee satisfaction when operating in Greenland. The legal framework provides clear guidelines on various types of leave, ensuring employees receive adequate time off for rest, illness, family responsibilities, and other significant life events. Understanding these regulations is essential for employers to maintain fair and lawful employment practices.
Compliance with Greenlandic leave policies involves navigating specific rules regarding accrual, timing, payment, and documentation for different leave types. Employers must ensure their internal policies align with the statutory requirements to avoid potential issues and foster a positive working environment.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Greenland are entitled to statutory annual vacation leave. The minimum entitlement is 30 days of vacation per year. This entitlement accrues based on the period of employment during the preceding calendar year (the accrual year). For each month of employment during the accrual year, an employee typically accrues 2.5 days of paid vacation.
Vacation pay is calculated based on the employee's earnings during the accrual year. Employees are generally entitled to 12.5% of their total salary earned during the accrual year as vacation pay. This pay is typically disbursed when the vacation is taken. The main vacation period is usually between May 1st and September 30th, during which employees are entitled to take at least 15 consecutive days of their accrued vacation. Any remaining vacation days can be taken at other times of the year by agreement.
Public Holidays
Greenland observes several public holidays throughout the year. Employees are generally entitled to time off on these days, often with pay, depending on their employment contract and collective agreements. The specific dates for 2025 are as follows:
| Holiday | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 |
| Epiphany | January 6 |
| Maundy Thursday | April 17 |
| Good Friday | April 18 |
| Easter Sunday | April 20 |
| Easter Monday | April 21 |
| Great Prayer Day | May 16 |
| Ascension Day | May 29 |
| Whit Sunday | June 8 |
| Whit Monday | June 9 |
| National Day | June 21 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
| Boxing Day | December 26 |
| New Year's Eve | December 31 |
Note that some businesses may also observe other days, but these are the primary statutory public holidays.
Sick Leave
Employees in Greenland are entitled to sick leave in case of illness. The specific entitlements and pay during sick leave can vary depending on the employment contract, collective agreements, and the duration of the illness.
Generally, employees are entitled to full pay from their employer during the initial period of sickness. After a certain period (often 14 days, but this can vary), the employee may become eligible for sickness benefits from the public social security system, which supplements or replaces the employer's payment. To receive sick pay or benefits, employees are typically required to provide a doctor's certificate as proof of illness, especially for longer periods of absence. The employer may request a certificate from the first day of absence.
Parental Leave
Greenlandic law provides comprehensive entitlements for parental leave, covering maternity, paternity, and adoption. The system aims to allow both parents to spend time with their new child.
The total duration of parental leave is substantial and can be shared between the parents. While specific rules apply to the mother's leave around the time of birth, a significant portion of the total leave period can be taken by either parent or shared.
| Type of Leave | Typical Duration | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity Leave | Several weeks before and after birth (e.g., 4 weeks before, 14 weeks after) | Often full pay from employer initially, then public benefits |
| Paternity Leave | Several weeks (e.g., 2 weeks around birth) | Often full pay from employer initially, then public benefits |
| Shared Parental | Remaining weeks after initial maternity/paternity | Public benefits (amount may vary based on previous income) |
| Adoption Leave | Similar to parental leave for biological children | Similar pay structure to parental leave (employer pay + benefits) |
The exact distribution and duration of paid leave versus leave covered by public benefits can depend on collective agreements and individual circumstances. The total combined parental leave period is designed to provide ample time for childcare in the first year of the child's life.
Other Types of Leave
Beyond vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, employees in Greenland may be entitled to other forms of leave, often governed by collective agreements or individual employer policies. These can include:
- Bereavement Leave: Time off granted to employees following the death of a close family member. The duration is typically short, such as a few days, to allow the employee to attend the funeral and handle personal matters.
- Study Leave: Some employees, particularly in certain sectors or under specific agreements, may be entitled to leave for educational or training purposes. This can be paid or unpaid, depending on the agreement and the nature of the study.
- Force Majeure Leave: Short-term absence due to urgent family reasons resulting from illness or accident, where the immediate presence of the employee is indispensable. This leave is typically unpaid.
- Sabbatical Leave: Less common as a statutory right, but some employers or collective agreements may offer the possibility of extended leave for personal or professional development after a certain period of service. This is usually unpaid.
The availability and terms of these other leave types are often determined at the company or industry level rather than being universally mandated by law, except for specific circumstances like force majeure.
