Time off, public holidays, and sick leave (international employees)

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Applies to: international employees (employed outside the US and Canada). US employees: see How to request time off and How paid sick leave works.

Summary: Your leave entitlements come from your country's employment law and your employment contract — annual leave minimums, your country's public holidays, and statutory sick leave all follow local rules. Your contract states your specific entitlements; requests follow the process you were given at onboarding; and your in-country HR contact is the authority for anything country-specific.

Annual leave (vacation)

Most countries guarantee a statutory minimum of paid annual leave, and your employment contract states your exact entitlement, accrual, and any carryover rules. Your contract is the source of truth; if it differs from what you expected, ask your in-country HR contact before assuming.

Public holidays

You observe the public holidays of your country (and in some countries, your region). Whether a worked holiday earns premium pay or a substitute day off is a local-law question — your in-country HR contact can confirm your country's rule.

Sick leave

Statutory sick leave — how many days, at what pay, from day one or after a waiting period, and when a medical certificate is required — varies widely by country. If you're ill:

  1. Tell your manager/client contact and your in-country HR contact as early as possible (many countries have same-day notification norms).

  2. Ask what documentation your country requires (a doctor's note is commonly required beyond a few days).

  3. Your pay during sick leave follows your country's statutory scheme and your contract.

How to request time off

Follow the request process you were given during onboarding (through the portal provided to you, with your client contact kept informed). Book leave as early as you can — client coverage matters in staffing placements — and confirm approval before making plans.

Parental and other statutory leave

Maternity, paternity, parental, and other statutory leaves are governed by your country's law and often involve government processes and notice periods. Talk to your in-country HR contact early — several countries require notification months in advance to preserve full entitlements.

Your employment contract and your country's law govern — this article is a general overview. When in doubt: in-country HR contact first, support@ascen.com if you don't know who that is.

  • Your international employee onboarding — what to expect

  • How international employees are paid — payslips and local payroll