Last updated on July 30, 2024.

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Nota bene: the Dominican Republic, with its capital Santo Domingo, whose laws we cover in this article, distinguishes itself from another country nearby in the region, Dominica (capital Roseau).

Our blog covers Dominica’s leave laws in a separate article.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in the Dominican Republic

Vacation (Annual Leave) Quota

At least 14 days. Up to 18 days after 5 years of service.

Employees in the Dominican Republic are entitled to at least 14 days of paid vacation leave. After five years of service at the employer, an employee is entitled to 18 days of paid vacation leave.

However, to be entitled to this vacation leave privilege, an employee must complete at least one year of continuous service.

Vacation leave privileges may not be substituted with extra pay or other types of payment.

Taking a Vacation Leave

Dominican Republic leave laws specify that vacation leave may not be split into periods that are shorter than one week, although this rule is not always strictly applied in practice.

Cashing Out is Not Allowed

The employer must pay the employees their salary for the vacation period one day before the vacation starts.

Sick Leave in the Dominican Republic

Companies are only responsible for paying employees on sick leave for up to 10 days. The Superintendency of Health and Occupational Risks (SISALRIL) should make the payment to the company, which then passes it on to the employee.

Companies are not required to pay for common disease leave beyond the fourth day.

Sick Leave Requirements

For absences of one or two days, employees often provide a medical certificate or justification to their employer. Employees must have medical proof for their absences, which can justify up to 72 hours (three days) of absence without formal sick leave. However, some employers may not accept medical proof as valid, leading to unpaid absences if not officially recognized.

Payout of Sick Leave

Partially paid by social security.

To receive sick pay, the illness or injury of an employee must exceed four days; sick pay does not cover the first three days of absence.

Social Security provides payments for temporary incapacity due to common illnesses or non-work accidents:

• 60% of the salary from the 4th to the 20th day;
• 75% of the salary from the 21st day onward.

This applies to both short-term and long-term sick leave.

To qualify for sick leave for a common illness, an employee must have contributed and have been listed in Social Security for the last 12 months. The company is required to report sick leave through the appropriate form.

Issues with Payments for Sick Leave

Employees of private companies associated with Social Security sometimes face uncertainty and non-payment of their required sick leave benefits. Companies often fail to pay their salaries during their sick leave. Employees often struggle because companies do not know how to handle the new sick leave reporting forms. Both small and large companies face this issue.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in the Dominican Republic

12 weeks, paid by an employer and social security.

Working female employees in the Dominican Republic are entitled to 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave.

This leave typically consists of:

• 7 weeks before the predicted date of delivery;
• 7 weeks that follow childbirth.

Pregnant employees receive 1/2 of a month off to attend medical appointments.

They may also take advantage of daily rest periods, 3 breaks of 20 minutes each, in order to breastfeed their children and care for them.

Payout of Maternity Leave

An employee receives their full salary while on maternity leave.

Maternity leave pay is divided equally between social security and the employer, with each covering half of the cost.

Paternity Leave in the Dominican Republic

2 days

A working employee who becomes a father is entitled to 2 days of paid paternity leave.

A working employee who becomes a father is entitled to two days of paid paternity leave.

Parental Leave in the Dominican Republic

There is no legal requirement for parental leave in the Dominican Republic.

Bereavement Leave in the Dominican Republic

3 days

Employees in the Dominican Republic are allowed up to 3 days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member: a parent, a spouse, a child, or a grandparent.

Marriage Leave in the Dominican Republic

Employees are entitled to 3 to 5 days of leave when they get married.

Jury Duty Leave

Jury duty leave is not specified by Dominican Republic leave laws.

Military Leave

Military leave is not specified by law.

Voting Leave

Voting leave is not specified by law.

Public Holidays in Dominican Republic

Employers must recognize public holidays and provide days off for their employees. If an employee works on a public holiday, they must be paid at double their regular rate.

(*) - The date of Easter Sunday varies each year.

(**) - This is second Thursday after Pentecost, in May or June.

Sources of Dominican Republic Leave Laws

1. Local Laws and Regulations of Dominican Republic, https://www.atlashxm.com/countries/dominican-republic
2. Payroll and Benefits Guide Dominican Republic, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/dominican-republic/
3. Definitive Guide to Hiring in the Dominican Republic, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/dominican-republic

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