Barbados (BB)

Rules: After completing 12 months of continuous service, employees are entitled to 6 days of paid sick leave per year under ERA 2012. A medical certificate is required for absences of more than 2 consecutive days. Sick leave does not carry over from year to year. After exhausting the 6-day entitlement, further sick absence is unpaid unless the contract provides enhanced terms. NIS sickness benefit: qualifying NIS contributors who are incapacitated for more than 3 days may claim a sickness benefit — approximately 66.67% of insurable wages for up to 26 weeks. Apply at the National Insurance Office (nisonline.org).

Doctor note: Employer policy typically requires a medical certificate for any absence of more than 2 consecutive days. Some financial services and professional employers require a certificate from day 1. Certificates must be from a licensed Barbadian physician. Queen Elizabeth Hospital and private clinics (Bayview Hospital, FMH Medical Centre) issue same-day certificates.

Employer pay: 6 days paid sick leave per year (after 12 months service) at the full regular daily rate. After 6 days, further sick absence is typically unpaid unless enhanced contract terms apply. NIS sickness benefit pays approximately 66.67% of insurable wages for qualifying contributors from the 4th day of incapacity for up to 26 weeks.

Long-term: NIS invalidity benefit available to qualifying contributors assessed as permanently incapacitated by the NIS Medical Board. Benefit amount depends on contribution history. Apply at the National Insurance Office. No statutory long-term disability benefit for work permit holders with insufficient NIS contributions. Private income protection insurance is strongly recommended.

Max hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours/day) is the standard. Shift work is common in tourism, healthcare, and security. Overtime is any hours worked beyond 40/week or as specified in the contract. Public holidays: Barbados has 12 public holidays in 2026 — all paid days off. Work on public holidays: employee is entitled to either time and a half or a substitute day off under the Shops Act and ERA.

Min rest: Employees are entitled to at least 1 rest day per week (typically Sunday for standard office workers). A minimum 30-minute meal break is standard for shifts over 5 hours. Shift workers and hospitality staff should have rest periods clearly specified in their contracts.

Overtime: Overtime rate: minimum 1.5× the regular hourly rate for hours beyond 40/week under ERA 2012. Work on Sundays and public holidays: 2× the regular rate is standard. All overtime arrangements must be documented in the employment contract or company policy. Unpaid overtime is grounds for an ERT complaint.