China Employment Guide
China Employment Guide
China is in East Asia, bordering the Pacific Ocean (east), Mongolia, Russia (north), and Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (south). It has ~1.4 billion people (the world’s most populous); Mandarin (Chinese) is official, and Beijing is the capital. Its diversified economy has global influence in manufacturing, tech, finance and services, while agriculture still holds a share in the national economy. Labor laws (e.g., Labor Law of the PRC, Labor Contract Law) protect wages, hours, leave and social security. Standard workweek: 40 hours (overtime needs extra pay). Salaries are usually monthly. Laws cover paid annual/sick/maternity/paternity leave and protect temp/contract workers, balancing employer-employee interests for a fair, regulated labor market.
Check recruitment costs
Currency
Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY, ¥)
Capital
Beijing
Official language
Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua)
Salary Cycle
Monthly
Our Employment Guide in China
Browse the following tags to learn all about hiring employees in China
Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy
Both full-time and part-time employees at SailGlobal are entitled to paid time off, which accrues at a rate of 0.42 days per month. This translates to 5 working days of PTO annually.
Employees become eligible for PTO after completing one full year of service with the company.
The number of PTO days increases based on an employee's total accumulated work experience, including time spent with previous employers:
- Less than 10 years of service: 5 working days
- 10-20 years of service: 10 working days
- More than 20 years of service: 15 working days
Public Holiday Schedule
China observes 7 official public holidays totaling 11 days off. These nationally recognized holidays include:
- New Year's Day
- Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
- Qingming Festival
- Labor Day
- Dragon Boat Festival
- Mid-Autumn Festival
- National Day
Additionally, certain regions and religious communities may observe supplementary holidays throughout the year.
International Best Practices
Many multinational companies operating in China, including SailGlobal, often provide additional leave benefits beyond the statutory minimum. For instance, some organizations offer floating holidays for cultural celebrations or personal needs, recognizing the diverse backgrounds of their workforce.
Effective leave management systems contribute significantly to employee satisfaction and retention. Companies that implement transparent PTO policies typically report higher productivity levels and reduced burnout among staff members.
Hire easily in China
Compare employee hiring costs across over 100 countries worldwide, helping you accurately calculate labor costs. Try it now
Cost Calculator
Please select the country/region you wish to recruit from, and the calculation can be done with just a few clicks.
USD