How long is annual leave in Egypt?

Under Egyptian Labor Law, employees are entitled to the following annual leave:

• A minimum of 21 working days of annual paid leave after completing 1 full year of service.
• For employees who have worked for 10 consecutive years (even with other employers) or those who have reached the age of 50, their paid leave entitlement increases to 30 working days.
• Employees may take paid leave on a pro-rata basis after completing 6 months of employment.

Of the 21 days, employees are legally required to take at least 15 days of annual leave each year, with at least 6 of these days being consecutive. Non-compliance with this provision risks a minimal fine on the employer, not less than EGP 100 and not exceeding EGP 500 per employee. The fine is multiplied by the number of employees affected.

How is annual leave accrued in Egypt?

In Egypt, annual leave is accrued as follows:

• After 6 months of service, a supported employee is entitled to a prorated portion of their annual leave.
• After completing 1 full year of service, the supported employee is entitled to their full annual leave entitlement.

What is the carry-over policy for annual leave in Egypt?

In Egypt, employees can carry over unused annual leave to the following year. However, there are specific conditions that apply:

• Employees must utilize at least 15 days of their annual leave each year.
• Employers are required to settle leave days at least every 3 years to avoid frequent cash payouts for accrued leave. Within this three-year period, employers may choose to settle leave balances annually or biennially, with annual settlements being the common practice.
• Employees have the option to claim either leave or cash, but this right can be waived in writing.
• Employers are responsible for notifying each employee of their leave balance, urging them to use the balance by a predetermined date.
• Employees are required to either take leave or formally sign a document refusing to use the balance, thereby waiving their right and releasing the employer from the obligation to make a cash payment.

How is paid time off (PTO) calculated in Egypt?

In Egypt, paid time off (PTO) is determined under Labor Law as follows:

• Employees are entitled to a minimum of 21 working days of annual paid leave after completing 1 full year of service. The specific dates and period of the leave are determined by the employer based on work conditions. An employee may take paid leave on a pro-rata basis after completing 6 months of employment.

• For employees who have worked for 10 consecutive years (even with previous employers) or have reached the age of 50, their paid leave entitlements increase to 30 working days.

• The employer determines the time and use of an employee's leave days in accordance with work requirements.

What is the process to request annual leave in Egypt?

To request annual leave in Egypt, the supported employee should follow these steps:

• Send the annual leave request to their direct manager.
• Ensure that the request is made 1-2 weeks before the start date of the requested leave.

This process ensures that the request can be reviewed and approved in a timely manner.

Is time off usage required in set increments in Egypt?

No, time off usage in Egypt is not required to be in set increments.

Is unlimited PTO an option in Egypt, and how can it be accommodated?

Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) is not a recognized practice in the Egyptian market. However, it is possible to accommodate employees with casual leave. This type of leave can be used for emergencies, temporary causes, or situations where employees are unable to arrange the leave date in advance with their employer.

Is it necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Egypt?

No, it is not necessary to track leave accrual on employee payslips in Egypt.