Vacation leave is an essential part of any employee’s benefits package. It provides employees with the opportunity to take some time off from work and recharge.
In the Philippines, vacation leave is a right granted to all employees by law. The number of days an employee can take off as vacation leave varies depending on several factors.
How Many Days of Vacation Leave are Allowed in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the minimum number of vacation leave days allowed by law is five (5) days per year for employees who have worked for at least one year in a company. However, this minimum entitlement increases with length of service.
If an employee has worked for more than one year, they are entitled to an additional five (5) days of vacation leave per year. This means that employees can take up to ten (10) days of vacation leave per year after their second year of employment.
After three years of service, an employee is entitled to fifteen (15) days’ vacation leave per year. This entitlement increases to twenty (20) days’ vacation leave after four years of service and twenty-five (25) days’ vacation leave after five years.
Pro-rated Vacation Leave
When an employee starts working in a new company, they may not be entitled to the full amount of vacation leave immediately. Instead, their entitlement will be pro-rated based on how long they have worked for the company during that calendar year.
For example, if an employee joins a company on July 1st and their annual entitlement is ten (10) days’ vacation leave, they will only be entitled to five (5) days for that calendar year because they have only worked half a year.
- Usage of Vacation Leaves
- Unused Vacation Leave
- Conclusion
Once an employee has accrued their annual entitlement, they can use their vacation leave as they see fit. They can take it all at once or divide it into smaller increments throughout the year. Employees can use their vacation leave for any reason, such as taking a holiday, attending to personal matters or just relaxing at home.
If an employee does not use all of their vacation leave entitlement in a given year, they can carry over up to five (5) days to the following year. However, any unused vacation leave beyond this limit will be forfeited.
In conclusion, the number of days an employee can take off as vacation leave varies depending on their length of service. The minimum entitlement is five (5) days per year, but this increases to twenty-five (25) days after five years of service.
It’s important for employees to take advantage of their vacation leave entitlement to recharge and maintain a work-life balance.
References:
- Department of Labor and Employment – https://www.ph/quick-facts/157
- Philippine Labor Laws – https://www.ph/faqs-on-workers-statutory-entitlements/