Barbados
Fixed term contracts are permissible in Barbados. Common reasons for Fixed Term contracts are generally used for project-based work, seasonal requirements, and for Foreign Workers on a work permit. Fixed term contracts terminate when the term ends, but may be renewed with the mutual agreement of the parties.
Probationary periods are not outlined in the Employment Rights Act, however, many companies utilize them in Barbados, and outline the terms of the period within the employment contract.
Workers recognize 12 public holidays. The public holidays include: New Year's Day Whit Monday National Heroes Day Labor Day Errol Barrow Day Emancipation Day Independence Day Grand Kadooment Day Good Friday Easter Monday Christmas Day Boxing Day There is no legal requirement to issue payment on a public holiday if no work is performed, but in practice most employers do elect to treat it as a paid day off. Workers covered under the Shops Act are paid double-time for work performed on a public holiday. All other Workers are paid as prescribed by workplace custom, employment contract, or relevant collective bargaining agreement.
After one year of service, Workers are entitled to 3 weeks of paid vacation annually excluding public holidays. That amount increases after five years of service. Unless the employer and employee agree otherwise, the employer dictates when the vacation is to be taken (within six months of being earned) and it is taken in a single, continuous period. Notice of termination provided prior to or during a vacation is considered void. Accrued but unused vacation is due at termination. With respect to Workers with a period of service of more than three months but less than one-year, a pro-rata portion of the vacation allotment is due at termination.
There is no statutory requirement to provide paid sick leave. If two consecutive working days are missed, a medical certification may be required.
The standard workweek is 40 hours per week, over 5 days. Workers are entitled to two days of rest per week, generally Saturday and Sunday.
Overtime is provided for in the Shops Act (applicable to employees working in cinemas, laundries, and gaming establishments) and Domestic Employees Act (applicable to employees working within a private dwelling). In all other cases, overtime is voluntary and customarily determined by the worker's employment contract and/or company policy.
A mandatory bonus is not required in Barbados.
Companies must follow procedural rules to ensure the fairness of a termination, which requires a valid reason on their behalf. The Employment Rights Act provides that workers are entitled to the following minimum notice periods: 0-5 years of service: 2 weeks' notice 6-9 years of service: 4 weeks' notice 10-14 years of service: 6 weeks' notice 15 or more years of service: 10 weeks' notice Workers are entitled to severance pay if they have completed two years of continuous service and the termination is due to redundancy, pro-longed layoff, or short term work. The amount of severance pay a Worker is entitled varies and is outlined in the Severance Payments Act.
Workers that have been employed for at least one year are required to provide notice of resignation based on their pay cadence. Monthly-paid Workers are required to give one month’s notice of resignation.
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