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The Dominican Republic's labor force comprises approximately 5.29 million individuals. Any business expanding in the Caribbean will find excellent talent to join their workforce.
However, retaining and keeping the workforce motivated requires a robust leave policy in the Dominican Republic. The country's labor laws mandate that employees are entitled to 14 working days of paid vacation after completing one year of continuous service, which increases to 18 days after five years.
Additionally, there are 12 recognized Dominican Republic national holidays annually, during which employees are typically granted time off.
With labor laws around paternity and adoption leave evolving, you need a dynamic HR solution like an Employer of Record (EOR) to onboard and manage your workforce in compliance with the local laws.
In this guide, we will look into the prescribed provisions under the leave policy in the Dominican Republic and explore how EOR can simplify HR compliance.
Earned Leave in the Dominican Republic
The leave policy in the Dominican Republic entitles workers to annual vacation leave, popularly called "earned leave." The details of this right are provided in the Dominican Labor Code and depend on the length of service.
Moreover, you can include compensatory leave under earned leave for workers in your Dominican Republic annual leave policy. Instead of paying overtime, you can permit the worker to take a corresponding leave later.
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Talk to an expertMaternity Leave in Dominican Republic
You must make suitable provisions to extend maternity leave in the Dominican Republic for eligible workers during and after pregnancy. Below is an overview of how you can incorporate it into your Dominican Republic maternity leave policy:
You can also incorporate best practices for maternity leave worldwide and implement them to incentivize and retain the best talents in the Dominican Republic.
Parental Leave in Dominican Republic
Presently, the laws in the Dominican Republic are skewed, allowing no separate provision for extra parental leave that either parent may avail of beyond the specified paternity and maternity leaves. However, you can take inspiration from global best practices for parental leave to retain the best talents.
Paternity Leave in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic laws on paternity leave under Article 54 of the Labor Code were declared unconstitutional by the courts. The constitutional courts asked for a longer leave duration to bond with the newborn child.
Until the legislation comes up with a new mandate, the current leave policy in the Dominican Republic on paternity leave is as follows:
Adoption Leave in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic laws are silent on adoption leave benefits for private sector employees. However, you might consider implementing company leave policies in the Dominican Republic that grant adoptive parents a certain amount of paid or unpaid leave. This approach aligns with global best practices and demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being.
Public Holidays in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic public holidays mark major historical milestones and cultural practices. Listed below are 12 recognized national holidays in the Dominican Republic:
Here's the table with the days included in the second column:
Some holidays are moved to the closest Monday to allow for long weekends.
Sick Leave Policy in Dominican Republic
You can frame policies around sick leave in the Dominican Republic to assist workers during illness or injury. Below is a list of the most important provisions to include in the Dominican Republic's sick leave policy:
Casual leave in the Dominican Republic
There is no explicit provision for casual leave in the Dominican Republic. However, you can frame a favorable leave policy in the Dominican Republic, keeping the workforce motivated by granting a specific number of monthly leaves for unspecified reasons.
Unpaid Leave in the Dominican Republic
You are encouraged to set a clear policy on unpaid leave to cover issues not provided by statute, where the business needs of the company and the employee's personal needs are reasonably taken into account.
Other leaves
You may allow employees to take leave for varied personal reasons. The following is an overview prescribed by the law:
- Own marriage: 5 business days.
- Bereavement leave: 3 business days.
Easily Navigate the Leave Policy in the Dominican Republic with Skuad
Comprehending leave policies within the Dominican Republic can be difficult, particularly with a global employee base. With Dominican Republic laws still evolving, compliance with regional labor laws must be ensured for both employers and employees.
Skuad streamlines this process to smoothly navigate leave policies—not only in the Dominican Republic but also in more than 160 countries worldwide. With Skuad's Employer of Record (EOR) platform, you can easily onboard new employees, provide benefits securely, and remain compliant with all local labor laws without establishing a local entity.
With Skuad, you don't have to worry about payroll or adherence to complicated employment legislation—everything's taken care of for you. Book a demo today to witness how Skuad manages the intricacies of international employment.
FAQs
How much is annual leave in the Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic labor laws prescribe a paid annual leave of 14 days. After five years of continuous service with the same employer, this leave could be increased to 18 working days.
What is the annual wage in the Dominican Republic?
The average annual wage in the Dominican Republic is $14,400. Companies use EOR platforms like Skuad to comply with payroll requirements.
What are the most important holidays in the Dominican Republic?
There are 12 major holidays in the Dominican Republic, including New Year's Day, Epiphany, Our Lady of Altagracia, Duarte's Day, Independence Day, Good Friday, Labor Day, Corpus Christi, Restoration Day, Our Lady of Mercedes, Constitution Day, Christmas Day.
What is the biggest celebration in the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is culturally rooted in Spanish traditions. The biggest celebration is the Carnival (Carnaval Dominicano), which occurs throughout February and is particularly vibrant in La Vega. The parades feature the "Diablo Cojuelo" (limping devil) character.
Does the Dominican Republic have maternity leave?
Yes, the Dominican Republic's laws on maternity leave oblige employers to grant 14 weeks of paid leave, typically 7 weeks before and 7 weeks after childbirth. The laws also protect against the termination of employees.
What is the labor law in the Dominican Republic?
The normal workweek is 44 hours a week, or 8 hours a day at most. Employees are entitled to paid leave after one year of service, maternity and paternity leave, and public holidays. Employers are required to give severance pay when they dismiss an employee without cause. The legislation also forbids unfair dismissal of pregnant workers and imposes workplace safety regulations.
Moreover, the Ministry of Labor monitors the Ministry of Labor monitors the implementation of labor legislation to ensure equitable treatment and safeguard workers' rights.
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