How Many Days Sick Leave and Vacation Leave in the Philippines?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re an employee in the Philippines, you may be wondering how many days of sick leave and vacation leave you’re entitled to. Knowing your rights as an employee can help you plan your time off and make sure you’re taking the necessary breaks to maintain your health and well-being.

Sick Leave in the Philippines

Under Philippine law, employees are entitled to a certain number of days of sick leave each year. The exact number of days depends on your employment status and length of service.

  • Regular Employees: If you’re a regular employee, which means you work for a company on a permanent basis, you’re entitled to 15 days of sick leave per year.
  • Probationary Employees: If you’re a probationary employee, which means you’re still in a trial period with your employer, you’re entitled to 5 days of sick leave per year.
  • Project-Based or Fixed-Term Employees: If you work on a project-based or fixed-term contract, your employer is required to provide sick leave benefits that are proportionate to the duration of your contract.

It’s important to note that if you don’t use all of your sick leave for the year, it doesn’t carry over to the next year. You also won’t be paid for any unused sick leave when you resign or retire from your job.

Vacation Leave in the Philippines

In addition to sick leave, employees in the Philippines are also entitled to paid vacation leave. The number of vacation days depends on your length of service with your employer.

  • 1-5 Years: If you’ve been with your employer for less than 5 years, you’re entitled to 5 days of vacation leave per year.
  • 5-10 Years: If you’ve been with your employer for 5-10 years, you’re entitled to 10 days of vacation leave per year.
  • 10 Years or More: If you’ve been with your employer for more than 10 years, you’re entitled to 15 days of vacation leave per year.

Like sick leave, vacation leave doesn’t carry over to the next year if you don’t use it. You also won’t be paid for any unused vacation leave when you resign or retire from your job.

Conclusion

Knowing your rights as an employee in the Philippines is important for making sure you’re taking the necessary time off to rest and recharge. If you’re unsure about your sick leave or vacation leave entitlements, it’s always a good idea to check with your employer or consult the labor laws in the Philippines. With this knowledge, you can plan your time off accordingly and make sure you’re taking care of yourself both physically and mentally.