Additional leave compliance rules and complexities

Annual leave

After one year of continuous employment, employees are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave. This extends to 20 days after they’ve been in the role for 5 years, and 30 days once they’ve been in the role for 10 years.

Sick leave

Employees can take up to 26 weeks of sick leave in a single 12 month period. They receive 100% of their salary as sick pay from the 5th consecutive day of illness, after which time they must provide a medical certificate. Should it emerge that ongoing medical care will prevent permanent disability, employees can get an additional 26 weeks’ sick pay on top of the statutory amount.

Maternity and paternity leave

Mothers get 90 days of maternity leave at 100% of the national minimum wage. Fathers can take up to 3 days of paid paternity leave, and both parents receive guaranteed job protection for one year following the child’s birth.