Ukraine Employment Guide

Maternity Leave in Ukraine: A Comprehensive Guide

Ukrainian female employees are entitled to substantial maternity benefits. For standard single-birth pregnancies without complications, the leave period totals 126 calendar days. This increases to 140 calendar days for multiple births or when complications arise during delivery. Employees who directly adopt a newborn from a maternity hospital qualify for 56 calendar days of adoption leave.

The standard maternity leave structure allocates 70 days prior to the expected due date, followed by 56 days postpartum. For more complex cases, the post-delivery period extends to 70 days. The Social Insurance Fund provides full salary coverage at 100% of the employee's regular wage throughout this period, with no option for extension beyond the statutory timeframe.

Case Study: Implementing Maternity Policies

International companies like SailGlobal have successfully implemented these regulations by creating clear internal policies that outline employee rights while ensuring business continuity through proper planning and temporary staffing solutions.

Paternity and Parental Leave Provisions

While Ukrainian legislation doesn't specifically mandate paternity leave, fathers can access parental leave benefits. Employees with children under three years old may take up to three years of paid parental leave. The Social Insurance Fund disburses payments calculated by dividing 41,280 Ukrainian hryvnias equally across 36 months.

To qualify for parental leave, employees must submit their child's birth certificate along with documentation confirming that their spouse hasn't applied for similar leave at their workplace. This prevents duplicate benefit claims while ensuring proper childcare support.

Sick Leave Entitlements and Compensation

Ukrainian employees receive comprehensive sick leave protection under several categories:

• Temporary disability: Up to 4 consecutive months from disability onset
• Recurrent illness: Maximum 5 months within 12 months for the same condition
• Tuberculosis: Up to 10 months from diagnosis date

Eligibility requires a minimum 6-month social security contribution history. Compensation structure varies:

Days 1-5: Employer covers 100% of regular salary

From day 6: Social Insurance Fund pays 50-100% based on employment duration

Practical Application for International Employers

Companies operating in Ukraine, such as SailGlobal, typically establish clear procedures for sick leave verification and documentation submission to ensure compliance while maintaining operational efficiency. This includes medical certificate requirements and communication protocols between employees, managers, and HR departments.