Discover Mexico's detailed leave policies and holiday rules to efficiently manage your team. Understanding these regulations is vital for optimal workforce administration. This guide covers various types of paid and unpaid leave, such as public holidays, annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave. Employers looking to hire employees from Mexico or through an Employer of Record (EOR) in Mexico must be well-versed in these regulations to ensure compliance and effective workforce management.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

Employees in Mexico are protected under the Federal Labor Law, which mandates that foreign employers comply with all the regulations outlined in the legislation.

• 1 year of service: 12 days of paid holiday
• 2 years of service: 14 days of paid holiday
• 3 years of service: 16 days of paid holiday
• 4 years of service: 18 days of paid holiday
• 5 years of service: 20 days of paid holiday
• 6+ years of service: 22 days of paid holiday, increasing by 2 days for every 5 years of service, capped at 32 days

Additional Notes:

• Unused leave can carry over for 6 months.
• A vacation premium must be given at an extra 25% pay for each day of leave.

Public Holidays

• January 1 (Monday): New Year’s Day
• February 5 (Monday): Constitution Day
• March 21 (Monday): Birth of Benito Juarez
• May 1 (Wednesday): Labor Day
• September 16 (Monday): Independence Day
• November 20 (Monday): Revolution Day
• December 1 (Sunday): Inauguration of the New President
• December 25 (Wednesday): Christmas Day

Sick Days

Funded by Social Security (IMSS), eligible employees in Mexico are entitled to up to 52 weeks of sick leave at 60% of their regular wages when confirmed by IMSS-approved medical authorities. In the case of work-related injuries, employees receive 100% of their regular wages.

Maternity Leave

In Mexico, female employees are entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave, split into six weeks before and six weeks after childbirth. Maternity benefits are provided at full pay, capped at 25 times the daily UMA, and funded by IMSS. A medical certificate from an IMSS-approved clinic or a private medical institution is required to apply for maternity leave.

Moreover, female employees receive six weeks of paid adoption leave after taking custody of an adopted minor.

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to a mandatory paid paternity leave of 5 days.

Parental Leave

Mexico does not have any mandated parental leave.

Childcare leave 

• If an employee's child is diagnosed with cancer, they are entitled to paid leave to care for the child.
• The child must be 16 years old or younger and require parental care during treatment.
• Employees can take up to 25 days of paid leave per period, with the possibility of multiple periods.
• The maximum leave entitlement is 364 business days within a three-year timeframe.
• During this leave, employees receive 60% of their usual salary, covered by IMSS.
• To qualify, employees must have contributed to the social security fund for at least 30 weeks in the year preceding the diagnosis or 52 weeks before taking the leave.
• Only one parent can utilize this parental leave at a time in Mexico.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in Mexico  with Gloroots

At Gloroots, we understand that managing leave policies can be complex, especially when expanding your business and hiring internationally. Our platform ensures compliance with Mexico's labor laws, keeps accurate leave balances, processes leave requests seamlessly and generates detailed leave reports. By partnering with Gloroots, you can concentrate on growing your business while we manage the complexities of employee leave administration. Contact us to learn how Gloroots can simplify your HR processes and enhance your operations in Mexico.