Leave: fourteen days, but with a qualifying threshold
By Equipo SaplicPublished on 11/08/2026Updated on 11/08/2026
Completing a year is not enough on its own. There is a days-worked requirement that catches part-time and seasonal workers.
For guidance only
The amounts and deadlines in this guide can change by law. Always check the update date and the official sources cited below. For a specific case, consult the labour authority or a professional.
The standard entitlement in Trinidad and Tobago is fourteen days of paid vacation leave per year, available after completing one year of continuous service.
The 220-day threshold
Here is the detail that surprises people. Under the Minimum Wages Act schedules, entitlement to vacation leave requires having worked a minimum of 220 days within that twelve-month period.
Completing a calendar year of employment is not automatically enough. If your work was intermittent, seasonal or heavily part-time, you may fall below the threshold.
It is worth tracking your own days worked if your schedule is irregular.
Sick leave
Employees are entitled to fourteen days of sick leave, available after six months of service.
Maternity leave
The Maternity Protection Act provides fourteen weeks of maternity leave, with guaranteed reinstatement.
The payment structure is specific: the employer is obliged to pay one month at full pay and two months at half pay during the leave period, with NIS covering a portion through the maternity benefit.
Eligibility generally requires twelve months of service.
Public holidays
Trinidad and Tobago observes seventeen public holidays — one of the highest counts anywhere, reflecting the country's religious and cultural diversity. Working one attracts double time.
Keep your own record
Given the 220-day qualifying rule, your own record of days worked is genuinely useful. If there is a dispute about entitlement, that documentation is what supports your position.
Frequently asked questions
How much vacation leave am I entitled to?
Fourteen days of paid vacation per year, after completing one year of continuous service.
What is the 220-day rule?
Entitlement to vacation leave requires having worked a minimum of 220 days within the twelve-month period. Completing a calendar year is not automatically enough.
How much sick leave do I get?
Fourteen days, available after six months of service.
How does maternity pay work?
Fourteen weeks of leave with guaranteed reinstatement. The employer pays one month at full pay and two months at half pay, with NIS covering a portion through the maternity benefit.
How many public holidays are there?
Seventeen, one of the highest counts anywhere, reflecting the country’s religious and cultural diversity. Working one attracts double time.