Holiday leave
In Grenada, employees who have completed a full year of continuous service are entitled to a minimum of 14 working days of paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave.
Accrual and Eligibility
Although the entitlement to vacation leave generally requires a full year of service, it is likely that the leave can accrue throughout the year. After completing six months of employment, employees may be able to take leave, but this is subject to the agreement of the employer and the entitlement would be proportional.
Compensation
During vacation periods, employees must receive their regular salary in full.
Carryover
The labor laws in Grenada seem to focus on ensuring that employees take their accrued vacation time annually. The specific provisions for carryover may depend on individual contracts or workplace policies.
It is always advisable to check your individual employment contract or any applicable collective agreements, as they may offer vacation leave provisions that exceed the legal minimums outlined above.
Public holidays
Grenada, a small island nation in the Caribbean, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays range from global observances like New Year's Day on January 1st, which marks the beginning of the calendar year, to local celebrations such as Independence Day on February 7th, which commemorates Grenada's independence from Great Britain in 1974.
Fixed Date Holidays
- New Year's Day (January 1st): Marks the beginning of the calendar year.
- Independence Day (February 7th): Celebrates Grenada's independence from Great Britain in 1974.
- Labor Day (May 1st): Celebrates workers' contributions internationally.
- Whit Monday (May/June): Celebrated the day after Pentecost Sunday. The date varies yearly.
- Corpus Christi (May/June): A primarily Catholic religious observance. The exact date varies yearly.
- Emancipation Day (First Monday in August): Commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies.
- Carnival Monday & Tuesday (Second Monday & Tuesday in August): A vibrant cultural celebration preceding the start of Lent.
- Thanksgiving Day (October 25th): Commemorates the 1983 US-led invasion of Grenada.
- Christmas Day (December 25th): A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Boxing Day (December 26th): Observed the day after Christmas Day.
Types of leave
In Grenada, there are several types of leave available to employees.
Vacation Leave
Employees are entitled to at least 14 working days of paid vacation (annual leave) for each full year of service. During vacation leave periods, employees receive full pay.
Sick Leave
Employees become eligible for paid sick leave upon completing six months of continuous service. The specific duration of paid sick leave might depend on the length of employment and stipulations within employment contracts. Paid sick leave compensation amounts and duration can vary based on employment duration, workplace policies, and the nature of the illness. Employers may require a medical certificate to validate the need for sick leave after a specific period.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 13 weeks (approximately three months) of maternity leave. Maternity leave benefits may be covered by a combination of employers and social insurance programs.
Other Types of Leave
Bereavement Leave
Employees may be entitled to a short period of paid leave in the case of the death of a close family member. The specific provisions often depend on employment agreements or workplace policies.
Special Circumstance Leave
Employees may be entitled to short-term leave for circumstances such as marriage, religious observances, or civic duties. The specific provisions may depend on employment agreements or workplace policies.