Paternity Leave
No specific paternity leave entitlements are found in the labour code. However, special leave entitlements as identified under section 14B may be used. Employees may request for up to 12 calendar days of special leave for personal reasons that affect their immediate family (death of a spouse, parent, child, legal dependent or on any other justifiable compassionate ground).
Source: §14(B) of the Labour Act 1985
Special Leaves
Section 14B of the Labour Act entitles employees to up to 12 days’ special leave on full pay per calendar year for specified reasons. The Act recognises the following grounds for special leave:
- Quarantine / infectious disease: Where an employee is required to be absent on the instruction of a medical practitioner because of contact with an infectious disease.
- Court attendance: Where the employee is subpoenaed to attend a court in Zimbabwe as a witness.
- Trade union duties: Attendance as delegate or office bearer at a meeting of a registered trade union representing employees in the undertaking/industry.
- Police detention: Where the employee is detained by the police for questioning.
- Bereavement: On the death of a spouse, parent, child or legal dependant.
Other justifiable compassionate grounds: The “catch-all” ground – includes, in practice, serious family crises, funerals of close relatives, and may cover marriage leave, care leave for close relatives, etc., depending on how the employer interprets and documents the request.
