Kazakhstan debates employee leave: 140 days off sparks discussion on workplace culture

A social media post detailing an employee's plan to take 140 consecutive days of annual leave has ignited a widespread discussion among Kazakhstani professionals about leave policies and workplace culture.

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I've noticed a trend in Kazakhstani companies where people accumulate leave days. Some manage to save up 70 to 100 days. The idea is to take the cash when they quit. Nobody thinks about their health, their family, or giving their mind and body a rest.

The viral post, accompanied by a photograph of a leave application, prompted employees from various companies to share their experiences. Some admitted to accumulating unused leave days over years, hoping for a payout upon resignation, while others described companies that actively encourage or even mandate employees to take time off. One user noted a trend where employees hoard leave, prioritizing potential financial gain over health and rest.

Conversely, many commenters shared positive experiences where employers ensured staff took timely breaks. "They 'force' us to take leave," one user wrote, explaining that employers ensure employees take at least two weeks off annually, which is seen as essential for well-being, regardless of job satisfaction. This proactive approach was supported by others who track and remind employees to take their entitled breaks.

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They 'force' us to take leave. By law, you have to take at least two weeks a year. Of course, everyone is fine with it. You absolutely need to rest, no matter how much you love your job.

However, the discussion also highlighted instances of the opposite situation, where employees faced significant hurdles in getting leave approved. Reasons cited included excessive workloads and the inability of colleagues to cover for absent staff. Some users expressed frustration over CEOs who believe employees should work a full year before taking any leave, even when nearing the end of their first year.

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In the past, I simply wasn't allowed to take leave, too much work, nobody else could handle it, and so on. Now, I'm ready to go on vacation four times a year.

In response to the debate, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan clarified that the procedure for granting annual paid leave is governed by Article 88 of the Labor Code. The ministry explained that leave is granted for completed working years, and for incomplete years, the duration is calculated proportionally to the time worked, unless otherwise stipulated.

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In our office, there's always dissatisfaction when an employee wants to take leave. Our CEO thinks you need to work for a full year before taking any time off. I’ve been there a year already, and they still haven't approved my leave, even though it's supposed to start in a week.