Romania Labor Code employee leave regulations

The Romanian Labor Code outlines various leave entitlements for employees based on family emergencies, personal matters, and specific life events.

For unforeseen emergencies such as illness or accidents, employees may be absent for up to 10 working days per calendar year, provided they notify their employer and recover the missed hours through a mutually agreed method. Employees also maintain the right to request unpaid leave for personal reasons, subject to internal company regulations or collective labor contracts.

Regarding specific family events, the code provides paid leave separate from standard annual leave. Public sector employees receive five days for their own marriage, while three days are granted for the birth or marriage of a child, or the death of a spouse or close relative. To access these benefits, employees must submit formal requests and may be required to provide supporting documentation, such as birth or death certificates. While events like baptisms or moving house are not automatically covered by the Labor Code, they may be included through private company regulations or collective bargaining agreements.

In a recent legislative development, the Romanian Senate approved a proposal to amend the Labor Code to grant additional paid leave to single parents. The measure aims to provide at least three extra working days of annual rest to assist with responsibilities such as school closures or medical appointments. This would expand existing protections currently afforded to employees in hazardous conditions, visually impaired persons, and individuals with disabilities. The proposal now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for a vote; if passed and promulgated by the President, the regulations would take effect on the first day of the year following their publication in the Official Gazette.