Last updated on January 17, 2024.

Public Holidays in Barbados for 2024

PTO

An employee who completes a year of employment with the same employer is entitled to an annual leave of 3 weeks; or

An employee who has been in the employment of the same employer for more than one year of employment but less than 5 years of employment will be entitled to an annual leave for a minimum period of 3 weeks; and

An employee who has completed 5 or more years with the same employer is entitled to an annual leave for a minimum period of 4 weeks.

Employees are required to take annual leave in a single continuous period unless the employer and the employee agree otherwise, then the annual leave may be taken in two separate periods.

Employees who take their annual leave are entitled to their average pay.

• Use-it-or-lose-it policy 

Annual leave has to be taken within the 12 month period.

• PTO payout at the termination

An employee whose employment is terminated before he has taken the annual leave is entitled to take his annual leave and the Employer will forthwith pay to the employee, in addition to any other sum to him, his average pay.

Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Parental Leave

Female employees are entitled to a period of not less than twelve weeks of maternity leave and shall be so arranged that the employee is allowed – such a period, not exceeding six weeks, as she desires before the expected date of confinement; and a period of not less than six weeks from the date of confinement.

If an employee has been granted maternity leave and the date of confinement is a later date than the date stated in the certificate, her maternity leave will be extended to include the period that elapsed between those dates.

Pregnant employees are entitled to additional leave due to an illness related to pregnancy, not exceeding six weeks as a medical practitioner recommends.

Sick Leave, Paid Sick Leave, and Family Care Leave

There is no statutory entitlement to uncertified sick days in Barbados. It is up to the agreement between the employer and the employee. In the absence of a collective agreement, the number of sick days given to the employee is at the discretion of management.

Certified sick leave must be substantiated by a doctor’s certificate after two days’ absence.

Jury Duty Leave and Voting Leave (Leave due to Public Interest)

Employees are entitled to paid leave when summoned to serve on the Jury. Employees are required to report to work when excused by the judge from duty.

Bereavement Leave

Bereavement leave is granted at the employer’s discretion except when included in a Union agreement.

Military Leave

Not Specified by law.

Please consult your local legal counsel to learn more about Barbados Leave Laws.

To learn more about laws in various countries, check out our Leave Laws page.