In Palau, employees are entitled to vacation leave as per the labor laws and the terms outlined in their Employment Contract.

Accumulation of Leave

Employees accrue annual leave based on the number of hours they work. The specific rate of accrual is usually mentioned in the employment contract.

Probationary Period

Typically, new employees are allowed to avail their annual leave only after they have completed a probationary period of 90 days.

Approval for Leave

Employees are required to get prior approval before they can take their annual leave.

Maximum Leave Accumulation

An employee can accumulate a maximum of 360 hours (or approximately 45 days, considering an 8-hour workday) of annual leave. Any unused leave beyond this limit is forfeited.

Exceptions

In certain special circumstances, the 360-hour cap on annual leave may be waived.

Palau celebrates a blend of national and cultural holidays throughout the year.

National Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1): A day to welcome the new year with celebrations and family gatherings.
• Presidents' Day (June 1): This holiday commemorates the presidency and the government of Palau.
• Constitution Day (July 9): This day celebrates the adoption of Palau's constitution.
• Labor Day (First Monday in September): Palau observes this day to recognize the contributions of its workforce.
• Independence Day (October 1): This day marks Palau's independence from the United States in 1994.

Other Notable Holidays

• Youth Day (March 15): A day dedicated to celebrating the youth of Palau.
• Senior Citizens' Day (May 5): A day to honor and respect the elderly population of Palau.
• Family Day (Last Friday in November): A day for families to spend time together and strengthen bonds.
• Thanksgiving Day (Last Thursday in November): A day of gratitude and feasting, though not as widely celebrated as in the US.
• Christmas Day (December 25): Celebrated by Palau's Christian community.

The exact dates of some holidays may be subject to change. It's advisable to check with official sources for confirmation of public holiday schedules each year.

In Palau, labor laws and regulations provide for several types of leave for employees.

Paid Leave

Annual Leave (Vacation Leave)

Employees are entitled to accrue annual leave based on their work hours. The employment contract should specify the exact accrual rate. The usage of annual leave typically requires advance approval. The maximum accumulation of annual leave is 360 hours (approximately 45 days based on an 8-hour workday). Leave exceeding this cap is forfeited.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to paid sick leave. The duration and exact terms may be outlined in the specific employment contract.

Unpaid Leave

Family and Medical Leave

Provisions exist for unpaid leave for specific circumstances surrounding employee or familial illness and births.

Other Potential Leave Types

Bereavement Leave

Employers may have policies regarding bereavement leave, though it's not universally mandated by law.

Maternity Leave

Regulations may exist for maternity leave, but such provisions are often employer-specific.