Wondering what leave entitlements you have in the private sector? As an employee, you have specific rights protected by labor legislation. Understanding the leave you’re entitled to is crucial for ensuring your work-life balance and legal rights.
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Private sector leave: Annual vacation leave and employee rights
The most fundamental leave entitlement in the private sector is annual vacation leave. This increases progressively based on your years of service and can reach 26 working days for a five-day work week or 31 days for six-day work arrangements.
During your first two calendar years of employment, your leave is calculated proportionally to your employment period. From the third year onwards, you’re entitled to full annual leave regardless of when you choose to take it.
Important note: Your leave must be used by March 31st of the following year, otherwise it converts to financial compensation.
Leave increases based on length of service
Years of service play a decisive role in calculating your private sector leave entitlements. Specifically:
• With 10 years of service with the same employer or 12 years with any employer: 25 working days (five-day work week) or 30 days (six-day work week)
• With 25 years of service: one additional day is added, reaching 26 days (five-day) or 31 days (six-day work week)
Special leave types and additional rights
Beyond annual leave, various special leave types enhance your employment rights. Unpaid leave is an important option, allowing you to take up to one year off with your employer’s written agreement. Additionally, you’re entitled to blood donation leave up to twice annually, while other specialized leave exists for marriage, childbirth, illness, and other significant reasons provided by legislation and collective bargaining agreements.
For deeper insights into private sector leave entitlements, you can consult the official website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Additionally, the General Secretariat for Employment and the Labor Inspectorate provide detailed information on implementing relevant provisions and calculating leave days.
