What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking bereavement leave in Estonia, and how is pay calculated?

In Estonia, supported employees are entitled to take short-term paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. However, the law does not explicitly define the specific duration for bereavement leave. The eligibility criteria for this leave include the death of a close family member, although the exact family members considered 'close' may be determined by the employer or the terms outlined in the employment agreement.

What is the duration of educational leave in Estonia?

Employees in Estonia are entitled to educational leave as follows:

• Up to 30 calendar days of academic leave per year for attending trainings. For degree and job-related trainings, the employer is required to pay the medium daily remuneration for 20 calendar days. The remaining 10 calendar days can be taken as unpaid leave.
• An additional 15 calendar days of academic leave, compensated with the minimum salary, is granted to employees to complete degree studies.
• Employees have the right to unpaid holiday leave to take entrance examinations for vocational schools, colleges, or universities.

What are the guidelines for Jury Service Leave in Estonia, including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Estonia, all employees who are summoned for jury duty are eligible for jury service leave. This eligibility includes:

• No specific conditions related to the length of service or type of employment agreement.
• All employees, regardless of their employment status, can take leave for jury service.

What are the length, eligibility criteria, application rules, and pay calculation for marriage leave in Estonia?

In Estonia, there is no statutory entitlement to marriage leave according to national labor laws. However, some employers may choose to provide marriage leave based on their internal policies or collective agreements. It is important for a supported employee to verify such provisions with their employer to understand the specific terms related to the length, eligibility criteria, application rules, and pay calculation for marriage leave, as these can vary by employer.

What are the guidelines for military service leave in Estonia including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Estonia, when a supported employee enters military service, their employment agreement is suspended. The supported employee is required to notify their employer of their entry into military service within a reasonable timeframe. During the period of military service, the employment relationship is put on hold, and the employer is not required to provide any remuneration to the supported employee.

What are the guidelines for blood donation leave in Estonia, including length, eligibility, rules for applying, and pay calculation?

According to § 7(3)(5) of the Blood Act in Estonia, the following guidelines apply for blood donation leave:

• Length: The law does not specify the exact duration of the time off for donating blood. Principles of reasonableness and good faith are to be applied.

• Eligibility: Any employee who wishes to donate blood is eligible for time off from work to do so. It is advisable for the employee to provide reasonable notice to the employer to prevent disruptions to work.

• Rules for Applying: The employee should inform the employer in advance about their intention to donate blood. Arrangements should ideally be agreed upon and documented, ensuring the process does not interfere with work responsibilities.

• Pay Calculation: Employers are not obligated to pay employees for the time taken off to donate blood. The time spent donating blood is not considered under section 38 of the Employment Contracts Act, where the employer would typically be required to pay the employee an average wage for time lost due to personal circumstances beyond their control. However, the employer can voluntarily agree to retain the employee's contractual or average pay for the duration of the blood donation, and such agreements should preferably be put in writing.

How long is unpaid leave in Estonia?

Unpaid leave in Estonia may be granted only by agreement between an employer and an employee. Either party can propose unpaid leave. There is no formal requirement for formalizing the unpaid leave. During this period, the employment agreement is suspended.

What types of other leave may an employee be entitled to under their employment agreement in Estonia?

In Estonia, under their employment agreement, a supported employee may be entitled to the following types of leave:

• Caregiver Leave: This leave consists of 5 days and is paid at the minimum wage rate.

• Study Leave: Employees pursuing formal or vocational training are eligible for up to 30 calendar days of study leave per year. The first 20 days are paid at the average study leave pay based on a calendar day, while the subsequent 10 days are unpaid. An additional 15 days of study leave may be granted, potentially at the minimum wage rate. An employee also has the right to take a holiday without pay in order to sit for entrance examinations.