On Friday, Zhejiang province officially passed a new regulation extending marriage leave from 3 days to 13 days. This change was approved during the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Provincial People’s Congress.
Under this new regulation, employees who legally register their marriage are entitled to a 13-day marriage leave. The regulation took effect immediately upon its announcement, allowing employees to benefit from it right away. Previously, Zhejiang followed the 1980 regulation, which only allowed for 1 to 3 days of marriage leave.
The updated regulation addresses the increasing number of cross-city and cross-province marriages in Zhejiang, which now account for one-sixth and one-ninth of all marriages, respectively. The extended leave aims to better meet the needs of employees who often face logistical challenges due to marrying across different locations.
Beyond extending the duration, the regulation also specifies that national statutory holidays and rest days do not count towards marriage leave. During this leave period, salaries, bonuses, and other welfare benefits will continue to be paid as usual. Employees must take their marriage leave within one year of registering their marriage. If work requirements prevent them from doing so, they can negotiate with their employer to postpone the leave for up to six months.
Moreover, employees have the flexibility to take the leave all at once or in segments, after negotiating with their employer. This provides newlyweds and employers with more adaptable scheduling options.
