Managing employee leave and vacation entitlements in Mayotte requires a clear understanding of local labor laws and regulations. Employers operating in the territory, whether through a local entity or via an Employer of Record, must ensure compliance with statutory requirements regarding various types of leave, including annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for maintaining legal compliance and fostering positive employee relations.
Understanding the specific entitlements and procedures for each type of leave is essential for effective workforce management in Mayotte. This includes knowing how leave accrues, the duration of different leave types, requirements for documentation, and provisions for compensation during leave periods.
Annual Vacation Leave
Employees in Mayotte are entitled to paid annual leave. The minimum entitlement is generally 2.5 working days per month of actual work with the same employer. This accrues to 30 working days (five weeks) per year for employees who have worked a full year.
- Accrual Period: Leave is typically accrued over a reference period, often from June 1st of the previous year to May 31st of the current year.
- Entitlement Calculation: Entitlement is calculated based on the number of months worked during the reference period.
- Increased Entitlement: Certain employees, such as young workers under 21, may be entitled to additional leave days.
- Taking Leave: Employees generally take their main annual leave period (at least 12 consecutive working days) between May 1st and October 31st. The timing of leave is typically determined by the employer, considering employee requests and business needs.
- Leave Pay: Employees receive their regular salary during annual leave.
Public Holidays
Mayotte observes a number of public holidays each year. Employees are generally entitled to a paid day off on these holidays. If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, it is typically a paid day off. If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they may be entitled to increased pay or compensatory time off, depending on the specific holiday and employment contract or collective agreement.
Here are the likely public holidays observed in Mayotte in 2025:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 8 | Victory in Europe Day |
| May 29 | Ascension Day |
| June 9 | Whit Monday |
| July 14 | Bastille Day |
| August 15 | Assumption Day |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| November 11 | Armistice Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| Variable | Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) |
| Variable | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| Variable | Mawlid (Prophet's Birthday) |
Note: Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and their exact dates vary each year.
Sick Leave
Employees in Mayotte are entitled to sick leave when they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Notification: Employees must inform their employer of their absence as soon as possible.
- Medical Certificate: A medical certificate from a doctor is required, typically within 48 hours of the absence beginning, to justify the sick leave.
- Entitlement and Pay: The duration and payment of sick leave can depend on the employee's length of service and applicable collective agreements. After a waiting period (often 3 days), employees may receive daily allowances from social security (CSSM - Caisse de Sécurité Sociale de Mayotte). The employer may be required to supplement these allowances to ensure the employee receives a certain percentage of their salary, particularly after a qualifying period of service.
- Duration: Sick leave can last for varying periods depending on the medical condition. Long-term illness may involve specific procedures and potential medical examinations by social security.
Parental Leave
Mayotte provides various types of leave related to parenthood, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Maternity Leave: Pregnant employees are entitled to maternity leave. The duration is typically 16 weeks (6 weeks before the expected birth date and 10 weeks after), but can be extended in certain circumstances (e.g., multiple births, medical complications). Maternity leave is compensated through social security benefits, often supplemented by the employer.
- Paternity and Welcome Leave: Fathers are entitled to paternity and welcome leave following the birth of a child. This leave consists of a mandatory period (typically 4 days) and an additional period (typically 21 days, or 28 days for multiple births). The mandatory period must be taken immediately after the birth. The additional period can be taken in one go or split into two parts, with the shortest part being at least 8 days. This leave is compensated through social security.
- Adoption Leave: Employees adopting a child are also entitled to adoption leave. The duration varies depending on the number of children adopted and whether other children are already in the household. It is compensated through social security.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to the main categories, employees in Mayotte may be entitled to other types of special leave, often related to personal or family events.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically granted a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.). The exact duration depends on the relationship and potentially collective agreements.
- Marriage/Civil Partnership Leave: Employees are usually entitled to a few days of paid leave for their own marriage or civil partnership.
- Child's Marriage Leave: Leave may also be granted for the marriage of a child.
- Moving Leave: Some collective agreements may provide a day or two of leave for moving house.
- Study Leave: Under certain conditions, employees may be eligible for leave to pursue further education or training (Congé Individuel de Formation - CIF, now part of the CPF transition professionnelle).
- Sabbatical Leave: Employees with sufficient seniority may be eligible for sabbatical leave for personal projects, without pay, for a defined period.
- Leave for Family Responsibilities: Leave may be available to care for a sick or injured child or other dependent family members, though conditions and pay vary.
Specific entitlements and conditions for these types of leave can be detailed in the employee's contract, applicable collective bargaining agreements, or the French Labour Code as it applies in Mayotte.
