Last updated on January 31, 2025.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Bermuda

Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota

10 working days (2 calendar weeks)

Workers and employees in Bermuda are entitled to 10 days (two weeks) of paid vacation each year after their first year of continuous employment. Employees who have worked for at least six months but less than a full year can take one week of vacation— 5 days, which will be deducted from their two-week entitlement once they reach their one-year employment anniversary. Their vacation quota is prorated. After five years of continuous service, employees receive three weeks of paid vacation— 15 days.

Vacation pay is provided in advance, based on the employee’s regular weekly wage.

Carry Over

Unused vacation time in Bermuda cannot be accumulated.

PTO Payout at the Termination

If an employee’s employment ends, the employer must pay them any outstanding wages, benefits, and unused vacation pay within seven days of their last day of work, or by the next regular payday, whichever comes later.

Sick Leave in Bermuda

10 paid days per year.

Workers and employees of Bermuda who have worked continuously for at least one year are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year. However, if an employee is sick for two or more days in a row, they may need to provide a doctor’s note to their employer if requested.

Payout

Sick leave in Bermuda must be compensated by the employer.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in Bermuda

13 weeks

Pregnant employees and workers in Bermuda are entitled to 13 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Employees who have worked continually for at least one year (or will reach it by their due date) receive paid maternity leave, while those with less service receive 13 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

To qualify, they must provide a doctor’s note confirming their pregnancy and the estimated due date, and they must apply for leave at least four weeks before their planned start date.

After taking maternity leave, a pregnant employee must notify her employer at least two weeks before they plan to return to work; otherwise, they may be considered to have resigned.

Payout

The employer is obligated to pay for the maternity leave in full.

Ante-Natal Care

A pregnant employee may take paid time off for prenatal care check-ups even if she has not completed her first year of service.

Paternity Leave in Bermuda

5 days

Employees with at least one year of continuous service receive 5 days of paid paternity leave, while those with less service receive 5 days of unpaid paternity leave.

Fathers are entitled to take paternity leave to care for their child or support the child’s mother. To qualify, they must provide a doctor’s certificate confirming their wife’s pregnancy and estimated due date, and apply for leave at least 4 weeks before their start date.

Payout

Employers are, in the same manner as for maternity leave, obligated to pay for the paternity leave in full.

Bereavement Leave in Bermuda

Unpaid leave.

All employees working in Bermuda can take unpaid leave for the death of a close family member or to attend their funeral overseas. Close family members include a spouse, child, and sibling. Since 2021, this also includes grandparents and grandchildren.

Jury Duty Leave in Bermuda

Paid leave.

Employers in Bermuda must allow employees to take time off from work to attend jury duty or appear in court as a witness.

Military Leave in Bermuda

Military leave is not specified by Bermuda leave laws.

Voting Leave in Bermuda

Paid leave - if one year of employment.

Employees in Bermuda are allowed to take leave to vote in elections. Employees with at least one year of continuous service will be paid their normal wages for this time. However, if they receive any payment for their election duties, the employer can deduct that sum from their wages.

Public Holidays in Bermuda for 2025

Sources

1. BERMUDA LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW, https://www.canterburylaw.bm/images/Bermuda%20Labour%20and%20Employment%20Law%20Handbook.pdf

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide - Bermuda, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/bermuda/

Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.