Paid Leave in Hong Kong: Annual, Maternity, Paternity, and Sick Leave
Navigating paid leave regulations in Hong Kong can be complex, but our updated guide by Horizons simplifies it for you. Horizons blends local hiring expertise with exceptional customer service, enabling businesses to hire employees in over 185 countries seamlessly and compliantly, without needing a local entity.
1. Annual Leave in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, employees are entitled to paid annual leave based on their length of service. Here’s a breakdown of the annual leave entitlement:
- 1-2 Years: 7 days
- 3 Years: 8 days
- 4 Years: 9 days
- 5 Years: 10 days
- 6 Years: 11 days
- 7 Years: 12 days
- 8 Years: 13 days
- 9 Years and Above: 14 days
Annual leave should ideally be taken in one continuous period. If leave entitlements are:
- Up to 10 Days: Employees can take up to 3 days separately; the remainder should be taken consecutively.
- More than 10 Days: At least 7 days must be taken consecutively.
If an employee’s employment ends after 3 to 12 months of service within a leave year, they are entitled to a pro-rata annual leave. However, this does not apply if the employee is dismissed summarily.
2. Parental Leave in Hong Kong
Maternity Leave
To qualify for 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, expectant mothers must:
- Have been employed under a continuous contract for at least 40 weeks before their scheduled maternity leave.
- Notify their employer of the pregnancy and intention to take maternity leave after confirmation of pregnancy, with a medical certificate if required.
- If employed for less than 40 weeks, the maternity leave will be unpaid, provided they give notice as mentioned above.
Maternity leave pay is 80% of the employee’s average daily wage over the past 12 months. For those employed less than 12 months, the calculation is based on the actual employment period. Note that the pay for the 11th to 14th weeks of maternity leave is capped at HKD 80,000.
Paternity Leave
Fathers are entitled to up to 5 days of paternity leave. They must provide at least 3 months' notice before the due date and a minimum of 5 days' notice for the paternity leave dates.
Paternity leave pay is also 80% of the employee’s average daily wage over the past 12 months, with a calculation based on the shorter employment period if less than 12 months.
3. Sick Leave in Hong Kong
Sick leave in Hong Kong is paid at 80% of the employee’s daily wage if:
- The employee has sufficient accrued sick leave.
- The sick leave is taken for a minimum of four consecutive days.
- A medical certificate is provided.
Sick leave accrual rates are:
- Less than 1 Year: 2 days per month
- 1 Year or More: 4 days per month
Bereavement and Compassionate Leave
While there is no statutory requirement for bereavement or compassionate leave in Hong Kong, many employers offer paid leave in cases of death in the immediate family or other compassionate circumstances like serious illness within the family.
For further details and to ensure compliance with Hong Kong's leave regulations, consult with hiring experts like Horizons, where global hiring meets local expertise.
Manage Paid Leave in Hong Kong Correctly
Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance mandates specific annual leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and sick leave entitlements. Remoly's automated HR system ensures your Hong Kong team receives every statutory benefit.
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Remoly — Your Global EOR & Employer of Record Partner Serving 100+ Countries & Regions Worldwide * This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific compliance guidance, consult a qualified professional. Related Articles
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