1. Hours of work
2. Paid annual leave
All workers are entitled to paid annual leave of at least 4 weeks per year. A worker who works a 5 day working week is entitled to at least 20 working days of annual leave and a worker who works a 6 day working week is entitled to at least 24 working days.
During the period of annual leave, the worker will either be paid directly by the employer or by the Central Holiday Fund.
It is noted that the annual leave with pay may only be replaced with a cash benefit in the event of termination of the employment relationship.
3. Time off
Time off in every undertaking/organisation is regulated in personal contracts, agreements or Collective Agreements. Employees in retail stores, hotels and leisure centres are an exception, for whom time off is regulated under special laws.
- For employees in retail stores, the following days shall constitute paid time off:
1 January | 1 April | 15 August |
2 January | Easter Sunday | 1 October |
6 January | Easter Monday | 28 October |
Shrove Monday | 1 May | 25 December |
25 March | Whit Monday | 26 December |
It is noted that stores may open to serve the public on the holidays of Shrove Monday, 25 March, 1 and 28 October, while employees may work subject to their consent and to compensation for overtime at a rate of 1:2.
- For employees in hotels and leisure centres, the following days shall constitute paid time off:
1 January | Good Friday | 15 August |
6 January | Easter Sunday | 1 October |
Shrove Monday | Easter Monday | 28 October |
25 March | 1 May | 25 December |
1 April | Whit Monday | 26 December |
In the event that an employee of a leisure centre works during a holiday, they will be compensated for overtime at a rate of 1:2.
In the event that an employee of a hotel works during a holiday, they shall be entitled to compensation beyond the normal daily wage of one additional daily wage, which they shall receive in cash or in time in lieu. Time in lieu shall be granted until the end of March of the next year and if it is not granted, it shall be compensated in cash.
4. Overtime
Overtime in every undertaking/organisation is regulated in personal contracts, agreements or Collective Agreements. Employees in retail stores, hotels and leisure centres are an exception, for whom time off is regulated under special laws.
For employees of retail stores, overtime cannot exceed 8 hours per week (2 per day). Overtime is compensated as follows:
- • A morning or afternoon off: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 2 hours (1:2)
- • Holidays: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 2 hours (1:2)
- • Other days: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 1.5 hours (1:1.5)
For employees of leisure centres, overtime can reach up to 8 hours per week. In exceptional cases defined by law, this may be increased to 10 hours per week and shall be compensated at a rate of 1:1.
5.
For hotel employees, overtime may not exceed 9 hours per week and is compensated at a rate of 1:1.5.
5. Termination of employment
In accordance with the law on the termination of employment, every employer and every employee must provide written notice of termination of the employment relationship, which shall be proportionate to their time of employment.
Where the employer terminates the employment relationship with the employee on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:
Period of continuous employment | Minimum period of notice |
From 0 to 26 weeks (up to 6 months) | No notice |
From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year) | 1 week |
From 52 to 103 weeks (1-2 years) | 2 weeks |
From 104 to 155 weeks (2-3 years) | 4 weeks |
From 156 to 207 weeks (3-4 years) | 5 weeks |
From 208 to 259 weeks (4-5 years) | 6 weeks |
From 260 to 311 weeks (5-6 years) | 7 weeks |
From 132 weeks and more (6 years +) | 8 weeks |
Where the employee terminates the employment relationship with their employer on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:
Period of continuous employment | Minimum period of notice |
From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year) | 1 week |
From 52 to 259 weeks (1-5 years) | 2 weeks |
From 260 weeks and more (5 years +) | 3 weeks |
An exception is made for employees at
hotels and
leisure centres where the law provides for a period of notice even if an employee has been working for less than 6 months which shall be dependent on the period of employment.
6. Process for the submission of complaints for citizens of Cyprus and of Member States
7. Procedure for the submission of a complaint for employees from non-EU nationals
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