In the Philippines, the amount of vacation leave and sick leave an employee is entitled to depends on various factors such as their employment status, length of service, and company policies. It’s important for employees to understand their rights when it comes to these leaves so they can maximize their benefits and take care of their health and well-being.
Vacation Leave
As mandated by Philippine labor laws, every employee is entitled to a minimum of five (5) paid vacation leaves annually after one year of continuous service with their employer. This means that an employee who has worked for at least one year with the same company is entitled to five days’ worth of paid vacation leave. However, some companies may offer more than the minimum required amount.
How Vacation Leaves are Earned
Vacation leaves are earned based on an employee’s length of service. The table below shows how many days of vacation leave an employee is entitled to based on their length of service:
- 1 year – 5 days
- 2 years – 10 days
- 3 years – 15 days
- 4 years – 20 days
- 5 years or more – 25 days
Sick Leave
In addition to vacation leave, employees in the Philippines are also entitled to sick leave. Sick leave allows employees to take time off work due to illness or injury without losing pay. The number of sick leaves an employee is entitled to depends on the company’s policy or collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The Difference between Paid Sick Leave and Service Incentive Leave (SIL)
It’s important for employees to note that there is a difference between paid sick leave and Service Incentive Leave (SIL). Paid sick leave is granted to employees who are unable to work due to illness or injury.
SIL, on the other hand, is granted to employees who have completed at least one year of service with their employer regardless of whether they are sick or not. SIL is equivalent to five days’ worth of pay and can be used for vacation purposes.
How Sick Leaves are Earned
Sick leaves are earned based on an employee’s length of service. The table below shows how many days of sick leave an employee is entitled based on their length of service:
Carry-Over and Conversion of Leaves
In accordance with Philippine labor laws, unused vacation leaves can be carried over to the following year subject to the company’s policy. However, unused sick leaves cannot be carried over to the following year.
Sick leaves that were not used during the year can be converted into cash at the end of each year up to a maximum of ten (10) days per year if this is allowed by the company’s policy or CBA.
In Conclusion:
As an employee in the Philippines, it’s important to understand your rights when it comes to vacation and sick leaves. Always make sure to check your company’s policies or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for specific details on how many vacation and sick leaves you are entitled to. Take advantage of these benefits as they are essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring your overall well-being.