2024-02-04 23:00:00
news Long weekends by the sea, city trips, family vacations… To take advantage of as many days off as possible in 2024, you need to think carefully regarding when to take them. Here’s how to optimize your leave and make it match that of your children (French-speaking system).
Take your vacation wisely in 2024
In Belgium, full-time employees (5 days per week) are only entitled to a minimum of 20 days of legal leave per year. This year, July 21, the national holiday, falls on a Sunday. So you can collect it at another time. You will therefore have 21 days to place in the calendar.
One week in April
The first week of April opens with Easter Monday. If you want to set sail for 9 days (from March 30 to April 7, 2024), it will only cost you 4 days off. However, if you have children in French-speaking education, they will not be on vacation on these dates. Instead, save your days for the month of May.
May, a taste of the summer holidays?
The new school calendar has set spring break (former Easter break) from April 29 to May 10, 2024. These dates coincide not only with Labor Day (Wednesday May 1, 2024) but also with Ascension Thursday ( May 9, 2024).
By taking 8 days off, you will be able to enjoy 2 full weeks of vacation with your children. By taking 4 days, either the first week or the second, you will be able to take a one-week break. If you prefer to save your time off for the summer holidays and are happy to bridge the gap, take 2 days the first week to take advantage of a 5-day long weekend and/or simply 1 day, on May 10, to relax a long weekend in the sun.
Pentecost Monday falls on May 20, 2024. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to enjoy it a little or a lot more by taking a few days that week.
See also the article: 4 tips for zen traveling by car with children
August, bridge the gap
August 15, 2024 falls on a Thursday. By taking just 1 day off you can enjoy 4 days of vacation (from August 15 to 18).
See also the article: Air travel: what medications are allowed in the cabin?
A break at All Saints’ Day?
November 1, 2024 falls on the Friday of the 2nd week of vacation for young French speakers. This is the opportunity to take 4 days of vacation if you have any left.
Christmas holidays from December 23 to Sunday January 5, 2025
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2025) fall in the middle of the week: Wednesday. If you want to rest following your Christmas celebrations, take 2 days off on December 26 and 27.
See also the article: Hygge: the art of being happy in winter
Need more time off?
If you feel that your statutory leave is not sufficient, you may be able to take advantage of the following advice.
Get your overtime back. Depending on your sector of activity or the company you work for, you may choose to recover your overtime in the form of compensatory time off. Recovery equals time off. Purchase additional time off. In some companies you can purchase additional leave days through the cafeteria plan (flexible pay system). This involves converting a small part of your remuneration (for example, your end-of-year bonus) into additional leave. Taking unpaid leave. Some employers allow their staff to take a limited amount of unpaid leave. It is best to specify this in a written agreement. Please note, however, that unpaid leave will have an impact on your end-of-year bonus as well as the calculation of your legal leave for the following year. Take a career break. In addition to thematic leave you take to care for your child or sick partner, for example, you can also take time credit and even political or paid training leave. Although it is not a leave of absence in the strict sense, you are not required to report to work.
See also the article: Status, leave and compensation: What are the rights of a caregiver?
Last updated: February 2024
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