Annual leave is a legally guaranteed right for employees, but also an important factor in maintaining their productivity, as well as their mental and physical health. As a responsible employer, the well-being of your employees should always be one of your top priorities.
However, many employees are not fully informed about their rights. This post can serve as a guide for both employers and employees, so that all parties can better understand how this legal regulation works.
How many days of annual leave are employees entitled to?
All employees in North Macedonia are subject to the following legal regulations when it comes to their annual leave:
| Rule | What it means | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum 20 days | Every employee is entitled to at least 20 working days of annual leave during one calendar year. | Article 137 |
| Maximum 26 days | By collective agreement or employment contract, the leave may be extended up to 26 days. | Agreement |
| Reduced working time | Employees with reduced working time are entitled to at least 10 working days of annual leave. | 10 days |
| Proportional leave | If the employee has not completed 6 months of uninterrupted service, they receive two days of annual leave for each month of work. | 2 days / month |
Additional days based on specific criteria
The legislation allows employees to receive additional days of annual leave, depending on different criteria:
| Circumstance | Additional days | Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| Employees with disabilities | 3 days | Physical impairment greater than 60%. |
| Single parents or guardians | 3 days | Child up to 15 years of age. |
| Single parents of a child with special needs | 4 days | Additional protection according to the circumstances. |
| Employees above a certain age | 3 days | Women over 57 years of age and men over 59 years of age. |
By collective agreement at the level of a sector, department or group, or at employer level, other criteria may also be determined for defining the duration of annual leave.
How is annual leave used?
The use of annual leave should be clearly organized so that the employee can exercise their right, while the employer maintains continuity in work processes.
Important rights that both employers and employees should know
| Right / obligation | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave decision | The employer must issue a decision for annual leave to the employee. | The decision determines how many days of leave the employee has and in which period they will use them. |
| One day by the employee’s own choice | The employee has the right to one day of annual leave determined by them. | The employee must inform the employer at least three days in advance. |
| Sick leave during annual leave | If the employee begins sick leave during annual leave, they do not have the right to extend the leave after recovery. | This helps the use of annual leave be planned properly. |
| Unused annual leave | The employer is obliged to allow the employee to use their annual leave. | The employee cannot request financial compensation for unused annual leave, except upon termination of employment. |
Frequently asked questions about annual leave
How many days of annual leave are employees entitled to?
Every employee is entitled to at least 20 working days of annual leave during one calendar year. By collective agreement or employment contract, the leave may be extended up to 26 days.
Until when can the second part of annual leave be used?
The second part of annual leave may be used by June 30 of the following year.
Can an employee waive annual leave?
No. A statement by which an employee waives annual leave or compensation for unused leave is legally null and void.
Is unused annual leave paid out?
The employer is obliged to allow the employee to use their annual leave, but unused annual leave is not paid out, except upon termination of employment.
Be informed and transparent with your employees
As an employer, providing a fair and transparent system for using annual leave is not only a legal obligation, but also part of building a positive workplace culture.
When your employees are informed about their rights and feel respected, this directly affects their long-term motivation and productivity within your company. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and enables continuity of work processes without negative consequences.
Do not forget: satisfied employees are the foundation of every successful business.
Do you need support with annual leave and employment relations?
If you need consultation or information regarding the legal regulations for annual leave in Macedonian companies, the accounting and consulting firm Aleksandar.AK is available to support you.
Request support for proper planning, documentation and administration of annual leave in your company.