Last updated on July 26, 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 Leave, Paternity Leave, Parental Leave

Maternity Leave

Regarding maternity leave, female employees are entitled to paid leave during

the seven weeks preceding the probable date of delivery, as well as the seven weeks that follow. Female employees also have the right to three rest periods of 20 minutes each, per working day, to breastfeed their children.

Paternity Leave

Employees are entitled to up to two days of paid paternity leave.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to up to 3 days of paid leave due to the death of a grandparent, parent, child or spouse.

Public Holidays in Dominican Republic for 2024

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.