Barbados

• New Year’s Day
• Errol Barrow Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• National Heroes’ Day
• May Day
• Whit Monday
• Emancipation Day
• Kadooment Day
• Independence Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Working Hours

Usual working hours are 40 hours a week over 5 days.

Minimum Wage

BBD 8.50 per hour.

Employee Tax

Annual income	Tax rate
Up to BBD 50,000	12.5%
More than BBD 50,000	28.5%
Social security contribution	11.1%

Bonuses

Bonuses are common in the Barbados, but there are no statutory bonus schemes.

Employment contracts in Barbados must be written, and should include certain information, such as:

• Names of both parties
• Employment start date
• Job title and responsibilities
• Salary
• Contracted working hours
• Probation and notice periods
• Annual holiday

Fixed-term and indefinite contracts are permitted in Barbados.

Annual Leave

Minimum of 15 days' paid holiday per year after a year of service, rising to 20 days after five years. Leave must be taken in a single continuous period.

Sick Leave

There is no statutory sick leave in Barbados, but many employers offer this as a benefit.

Parental Leave

• Maternity leave: 12 weeks' paid leave after one year of service.
• Paternity leave: none.

Termination Process

Employers and employees in Barbados can terminate a contract provided they give notice in line with legal requirements. Required notice is 1-10 weeks, depending on length of service.

Severance Pay

Employees are entitled to 2.5-3.5 weeks’ severance pay for each completed year of service.

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