Last updated on August 15, 2024.

Paid Time Off (PTO) in Trinidad and Tobago

Vacation Quota (Annual Leave)

14 days

Regular employees working in Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to 14 days of paid vacation leave per year. To qualify for vacation leave, an employee must work at least one full year at the current employer, with at least 220 days during that period.

Variations in Vacation Leave Duration According to the Sector

The benefits of paid vacation in Trinidad and Tobago usually differ depending on the sector or industry.

As for employees in the private sector, vacation leave is determined by their employment contract or collective (bargaining) agreement. Vacation leave entitlements can be agreed upon between employers and unions as part of a documented collective agreement, which is then compulsory for both parties. If no collective (bargaining) agreement exists, paid vacation leave is entirely at the employer’s discretion.

Employees working in the public sector are entitled to a yearly quota of 14 vacation days, provided they have worked at least 220 days. State employees’ vacation leave entitlements are outlined in legislation specific to each service.

Sick Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

14 days of paid sick leave.

Employees working in Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave per year. To qualify for sick leave and benefits, an employee must work a minimum of six months at the current employer. Before this period, an employee may not have sick leave benefits.

To have valid sick leave, an employee must provide a medical certificate if their absence is longer than two days.

Variations in Sick Leave Benefits According to the Sector

Similar to vacation leave benefits, rules and entitlements for sick leave differ by specific sector or industry. Sick leave may be specified either in a collective agreement or an employment contract, but employers must comply with minimum statutory requirements. Most employees working as state officials and other state employees are entitled to 14 days of paid sick leave.

Payout

Sick leave pay is calculated by the difference between an employee’s salary and sick pay benefits provided by National Insurance.

For more information about sickness benefits, you can continue reading on the official website of the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT).

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

14 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Employees in Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. Six weeks of maternity leave are available before the anticipated date of delivery. To qualify for maternity leave, an employee must have completed one year of employment. To benefit from a valid leave, an employee is required to present an official medical certificate indicating the expected due date, along with a written statement of her plan to come back to work after leave.

Employees are, while pregnant, entitled to paid leave in order to attend prenatal care visits with the medical practitioner.

In cases of pregnancy-related illness, the duration of maternity leave may be extended by an additional 4–12 weeks.

Payout

Maternity benefits are provided by the National Insurance System to insured working women during their pregnancy. This payment includes a weekly Maternity Allowance, which is paid for up to 14 weeks in a single payment, and a Maternity Grant which is $3,750.00.

Read more about maternity benefits in Trinidad and Tobago.

Stillbirth Leave

If an employee’s child passes away during the maternity leave period, she is entitled to the remaining time of leave with paid benefits. If a premature birth occurs and the child dies at birth or within 13 weeks, the employee is still entitled to her full paid leave for the remaining period.

Bereavement Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

3 days

Employees in Trinidad and Tobago are entitled to bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member. This leave is up to 3 working days long if the death happens in the country and up to 5 days if it happens outside the country.

Jury Duty Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

There is no legal definition of jury duty leave in Trinidad and Tobago’s leave laws.

Military Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

There is no legal definition of military leave.

Voting Leave in Trinidad and Tobago

There is no legal definition of voting leave.

Public Holidays in Trinidad and Tobago for 2024

Sources

1. Local Laws & Regulations in Trinidad and Tobago, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/trinidad-tobago

2. Payroll and Benefits Guide in Trinidad and Tobago, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/trinidad-tobago/

3. Vacation Leave and Sick Leave Rights in Trinidad and Tobago, https://www.lawforalltt.com/recent-articles/when-can-i-get-get-sick-leave-and-vacation-leave-in-trinidad-and-tobago

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