Under the Holidays with Pay Act, employees earn a statutory right to annual vacation leave once they have completed a year of service.
The entitlement
3 weeks — 15 working days — for less than 5 years of service
4 weeks — 20 working days — for 5 years or more
An employee may be granted more if the employment contract or a collective agreement provides for it.
Carryover is limited
This matters. Unused statutory annual leave generally must be taken within the year it is earned, or within a short period soon after.
There is no standard statutory provision for unlimited carryover into future years.
If you have been unable to take leave because of workload, raise it before the year ends rather than assuming it will roll over indefinitely.
Public holidays
Barbados observes approximately 11 public holidays each year, including National Heroes Day, Emancipation Day and Independence Day.
Employees receive paid time off on all gazetted public holidays. Where you are required to work on one, you must receive double your normal hourly rate.
What happens at termination
Unused vacation days form part of your final settlement, alongside outstanding salary, bonuses and other benefits due.
Keep your own record
Track days taken and any requests refused. Given the limits on carryover, a record of refusals is your evidence that the loss was not your choice.
Where to raise a problem
The Ministry of Labour oversees labour law compliance in Barbados and handles complaints.
Frequently asked questions
How much annual leave am I entitled to?
Three weeks — 15 working days — for less than five years of service, rising to four weeks or 20 working days at five years or more.
Can I carry unused leave into next year?
Generally not indefinitely. Statutory leave must be taken within the year it is earned or shortly after, and there is no standard provision for unlimited carryover.
What happens if I work a public holiday?
You must receive double your normal hourly rate. Barbados observes approximately 11 gazetted public holidays each year.
What happens to unused leave when I leave a job?
It forms part of your final settlement, alongside outstanding salary, bonuses and other benefits due.
Why should I keep a record of refused leave requests?
Because carryover is limited, a record of refusals is your evidence that any lost leave was not your choice.