Holiday leave
In Guernsey, all employees, regardless of their employment status, are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid vacation leave, also known as annual leave, each year. This is equivalent to 28 days for those who work full-time.
Part-time Entitlement
For part-time workers, the same amount of leave is granted, but it is calculated on a pro-rata basis. This ensures that all employees, regardless of their working hours, receive an equitable amount of leave.
Accrual and Eligibility
The accrual of vacation entitlement is a continuous process that occurs throughout the year. After completing a year of service, employees can fully access their accrued leave. However, it's worth noting that many employers may allow their employees to take some of their leave earlier.
Compensation
During their vacation leave, employees are entitled to receive their regular salary in full. This means that taking a vacation should not result in any financial disadvantage for the employee.
Important Notes
While the above outlines the legal minimums for vacation leave, individual employment contracts or collective agreements may provide more generous entitlements. Therefore, it's always advisable for employees to check their specific contract or agreement for details.
Public holidays
In Guernsey, public holidays are celebrated throughout the year.
New Year's Day
Celebrated on January 1st, this day marks the beginning of the calendar year.
Good Friday
This Christian holiday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is observed in March or April. The exact date varies yearly.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. Like Good Friday, its exact date varies yearly and falls in either March or April.
Early May Bank Holiday
This holiday is observed on the first Monday in May.
Spring Bank Holiday
The Spring Bank Holiday is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
Liberation Day
Liberation Day, celebrated on May 9th, marks Guernsey's liberation from German occupation during World War II.
Summer Bank Holiday
The Summer Bank Holiday is observed on the last Monday in August.
Christmas Day
This Christian holiday, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, is observed on December 25th.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is observed on December 26th, the day after Christmas Day.
Types of leave
In Guernsey, employees are entitled to various types of leave, each with its own set of rules and compensation.
Sick Leave
Employees become eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) after certain qualifying conditions are met, which include factors like period of employment and earnings. Some employers may offer more generous sick pay schemes exceeding the statutory minimum.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks of maternity leave, broken into Ordinary Maternity Leave (first 26 weeks) and Additional Maternity Leave (up to 26 additional weeks). Eligible employees receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks.
Paternity Leave
Eligible fathers or partners may be entitled to 1-2 weeks of statutory paternity leave. Statutory Paternity Pay is available for those who qualify.
Other Types of Leave
Parental Leave
Unpaid parental leave may be available for parents with young children.
Bereavement Leave
While not widely mandated, some employers offer short-term compassionate leave for family bereavement.
Dependant Leave
Some employers may allow short-term leave to attend to emergencies or care responsibilities for dependents.
