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

In Croatia, supported employees are entitled to up to 7 business days of paid bereavement leave for significant personal events, including the death of a close family member. The definition of close family member encompasses:

• A spouse
• Blood relatives and their spouses
• Brothers and sisters
• Stepchildren and adopted children
• Children under custody and upbringing, or in care outside their family
• A stepfather and stepmother
• An adoptive parent
• A person whom the worker is legally obligated to support
• A person living with the worker in an extramarital union, a life partnership, or an informal life partnership

The duration of bereavement leave may differ if outlined in a collective bargaining agreement or employment agreement. During this period, salary compensation is 100%, calculated as if the employee were working.

To apply for bereavement leave, supported employees must:

• Notify the employer about the need for bereavement leave.
• Submit a request for bereavement leave to the employer.

Following these procedures ensures that the request is processed correctly.

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

In Croatia, supported employees are eligible for educational leave, which may be provided for education or professional training. The criteria and terms for this leave are governed by:

• The collective agreement.
• The agreement between the works council and the employer.
• The labor regulations.

Eligibility for this paid leave, which can be up to 7 working days annually, includes participation in training or activities linked to the works council or trade union responsibilities. The specifics regarding conditions, duration, and compensation are outlined in the aforementioned agreements and regulations.

Payment during educational leave is typically at 100% of the supported employee's usual salary, as specified by the labor code. This salary calculation is largely determined by the collective agreement or company regulations. To apply for this leave, supported employees must notify their employer and submit a request.

How long is the sabbatical leave in Croatia?

In Croatia, there is no provision for sabbatical leave. Only unpaid leave is available to employees, and employers have two options regarding social security:

• The employee remains registered for social securities, and the employer must pay monthly contributions for pension and health insurance, calculated on a minimal basis of EUR 592.80 in 2024.
• The employer can deregister the employee, thereby having no obligation to make contributions.

What is the process and eligibility criteria for taking religion-related leave in Croatia, and how is pay calculated?

Citizens of the Republic of Croatia are entitled to religion-related leave on certain significant religious days. The eligibility criteria and rules for different faiths are as follows:

• Those who celebrate Christmas on January 7th have the right not to work on that day.
• Individuals of the Islamic faith are entitled to leave on the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
• Members of the Jewish faith have the right to take leave on the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Religion-related leave is calculated as paid leave.

What are the guidelines for emergency leave in Croatia, including length, eligibility, application rules, and pay calculation?

In Croatia, emergency leave is governed by Article 87a, paragraph 1 of the labor law. The guidelines include:

• Length: A supported employee is entitled to 1 day of emergency leave per calendar year.
• Eligibility & Application: This leave is applicable when the supported employee's immediate presence is urgently needed due to a significant family reason caused by illness or an accident. The period of absence is regarded as time spent at work for the purpose of sustaining rights connected to the employment relationship.
• Extension & Pay Calculation: There is a possibility for the emergency leave to be extended beyond 1 day. Salary compensation during this period is determined by a collective agreement, work regulations, or the employee's employment agreement.

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

Note: Different rules or provisions may apply if they are specified in a collective bargaining agreement, employment by-law, or employment agreement.

In Croatia, marriage leave falls under the category of important personal events as outlined in Article 86 of the labor law. Eligible employees are entitled to 7 days of additional paid leave per year for events such as marriage, birth of a child, serious illness or death of a close family member, etc.

• Application Rules: Employees must provide the marriage certificate and request their leave days through our Global Work Platform™.
• Pay Calculation: During the approved leave period, employees receive their regular pay.

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

In Croatia, employees undergoing military service have specific guidelines concerning leave, application, and compensation:

• Eligibility and Application: Individuals applying for voluntary military training must complete an application form and attach copies of their identity card and certificate of professional qualification. The original documents should be available for inspection.

• Length and Leave Recording: During military exercises, employees are entitled to paid leave, receiving their usual salary as though they were working. These days are recorded as hours of absence due to military duty in working time records.

• Pay Calculation: Employees receive a salary as if they had worked regularly, with no changes to their payment process or the JOPPD form. The compensation from the Ministry of Defense covers transportation costs and provides financial compensation for time spent on military training.

• Employer Compensation: Employers can claim a refund for salaries paid during the employee's absence for military training. This requires a written request, including the amount claimed and the IBAN for the compensation payment. This request should be supported by a certificate verifying the completion of the military service and proof that the employee was paid for the service month. The documentation is submitted to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, Sector for Development and Human Resources Management, Sančićeva 6, 10000 Zagreb.

• Compensation Increase: Compensation for military service has increased from EUR 700 net to EUR 900 net.

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

In Croatian, as per art.86 of the labor law, the guidelines for blood donation leave are as follows:

• For each blood donation, an employee is entitled to one paid day off.
• The day off is typically taken on the day of the blood donation or the next working day, depending on what is agreed upon.
• The specific rules regarding when the day off can be taken may be adjusted if agreed upon with the employer or stipulated in a collective agreement, an agreement between the works council and the employer, work regulations, or an employment agreement.

This ensures that employees have the flexibility to coordinate with their employers concerning the timing of their leave for blood donation.

How long is unpaid leave in Croatia, and what is the process and eligibility criteria for taking it?

In Croatia, employees are entitled to take unpaid leave for up to 5 working days per year to provide personal care to a family member or someone living in the same household who requires assistance due to a serious health condition.

The process for taking unpaid leave includes the following steps:

• The employee must make a request to the employer for unpaid leave.
• The employer may ask the employee to provide proof of the serious health condition that justifies the leave.
• If granted, the employer cannot deregister the employee from compulsory insurance during the unpaid leave period.

These conditions are outlined in Article 87 of the Croatian labor law.