The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Employees in Belarus

Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 paid days of annual leave once they have completed at least six months of employment. These vacation days should be taken within the year, with the exception of rare cases where carryover is allowed.

New mothers are entitled to 126 days of paid maternity leave (or 140 days for medical reasons or multiple births). Afterward, there's an option for three years of unpaid maternity leave, during which the job must be kept open. If another child is born during these three years, the mother can take maternity leave again.

Fathers can take up to 14 days of paternity leave within the first six months of their child's birth. Whether this leave is paid or unpaid is determined by the employer and the employment contract.

In Belarus, employees can get paid sick leave for up to 120 days. The employer pays for this leave, deducting the cost from their monthly payments to the State Social Welfare Fund. During the first 12 days, the payment is 80% of the base salary, and from day 13 to 120, it's 100%.

Employees are eligible to receive 100% of their average earnings during Family Care Leave. This leave can be taken to care for a sick child under 14 years old or a disabled child under 18.

Employees are entitled to up to 2 days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member or if the family member is facing a life-threatening illness or injury.

Parents can take up to 3 years of parental leave until their child turns 3. Either parent can use this leave, and they can decide together how to take the time off. During parental leave, they receive a childcare allowance: 539.56 BYN for the first child and 693.72 BYN for each subsequent child. If the employer has 15 or more employees, the employer pays for the leave. If there are fewer than 15 employees, social security covers the costs.