COUNTRY

An employment contract in India may be verbal or written. Employment contract terms include:

• work location,

• salary,

• annual leave,

• work hours,

• overtime,

• conditions for termination,

• notice period,

• probation period, and

• dispute resolution procedures.

The standard work week in India is 48 hours. The workday is up to nine hours. The employer must pay double the employee’s regular hourly wage for overtime hours. Employees must receive at least one day off each week.

Employees receive 15 days of medical leave in India after one year of service. After three days of sick leave, the employees must have a medical certificate. The sick leave is fully paid and covered by the employer.

An employee having her first or second child is entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave in India beginning eight weeks before the expected due date. If the employee already has two or more biological children, she receives 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. Employers with 10 employees or more are required to pay employees on maternity leave.

India has thousands of minimum wages that vary by region, industry, job and seniority. Employers with at least 20 employees must pay a 13th month salary.

Employees receive one day of paid vacation leave in India for every month of service. Up to 30 days of accrued but unused leave can be carried over.

In India, the public holidays are:

• Republic Day

• Labor Day

• Independence Day

• Gandhi Jayanti

• Christmas Day

India has universal healthcare for its citizens. Employers do not have to offer private health insurance although some employers do offer this benefit.

Employers in India must give notice before terminating an employee on an indefinite employment contract. The notice period is 30 days. Employers may make payment in lieu of all or part of the notice period. Employers must pay severance to workmen.