What are the eligibility rules for sick leave in El Salvador?

For sick leave in El Salvador, the eligibility rules differ based on the type and duration of the illness or accident:

• Common Illness or Accident:

- If the sick leave is 3 days or less, the employer is required to pay 100% of the employee's salary. A note from the Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social (ISSS) or a private doctor is needed to validate the leave.

- If the sick leave is longer than 4 days, it must be approved, and social security begins to pay 75% of the employee's salary starting from the 4th day. The cap for the economic subsidy is USD 1,000 (maximum base of contribution).

• Work-Related Accidents or Illnesses:

- Payments start from the 2nd day of leave and continue until the worker can return to duty or is declared disabled, with a maximum duration of 52 weeks.

To qualify for these benefits, the worker must have been employed with the same employer for at least 6 months before the expected delivery date of the sick leave.

How is sick leave payment calculated in El Salvador?

In El Salvador, the calculation for sick leave payment involves several factors:

• For the initial 3 days of sick leave, the employer is required to cover 100% of the supported employee's salary.
• Starting from the 4th day of sick leave, the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS) covers 75% of the average daily base salary. This salary is calculated based on the contributions during the first three of the last four months before the onset of disability.
• From the 4th day onward, the employer also reports the remaining days of leave and contributes 75% to the ISSS and the retirement fund (AFP) as part of the employer's contribution.
• The ISSS support is available for a period of up to 52 weeks (1 year) for the same illness.
• Employers have the option to cover the additional 25% not compensated by the ISSS.

What is the process for applying for sick leave in El Salvador?

To apply for sick leave in El Salvador, a supported employee must:

• Send the sick leave document to the HRx Team.
• If the sick leave lasts 4 days or more, the supported employee should also provide a document from the Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social (ISSS).