How do you hire an employee in Antigua and Barbuda in 2026?

An individual contract is lawful, but any term below the Labour Code's minimums is void. Put the probation period, the pay and the contracted hours in writing, and give the employee a new written statement whenever the duties change.

A fixed-term contract cannot be used for a permanent position. A fixed-term worker is treated as a full-time employee after two or more renewals once the total period reaches a year. The rule does not apply to consultants, management or the professions the Labour Code lists, such as lawyers, doctors and accountants.

The Minister can change these standards for an industry by order. A collective agreement can set different rules, so check whether one covers the role.

The employee must be given reasonable training in the duties of the job and be kept informed of progress. Leave entitlements and the right not to be unfairly dismissed start when probation ends. The employer cannot use probation to interfere with the employee's right to organise.

The termination guide has the rules after probation.

The 11 public holidays are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Whit Monday, the two Carnival days in August, Independence Day on 1 November, V.C. Bird Day on 9 December, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The day after a general election is a further holiday when one is held. Sundays are not counted for holiday pay.

An employee who does not work a public holiday loses no pay, provided they worked the scheduled day before and the day after it. Vacation leave does not include public holidays or sick leave, and unused vacation is paid out when the job ends.

The employer can ask for a doctor's certificate or other satisfactory evidence from the third consecutive day of sick leave. Social Security sickness benefit is separate: it pays 60% of average insurable weekly earnings, from the fourth day of illness.

The employee must produce a medical certificate stating the presumed date of confinement. The Social Security Board's maternity allowance is 60% of the insured person's average insurable weekly earnings, for up to 14 weeks. The Board's own web page still says 13 weeks, but a 2022 regulation changed it to 14.

The Labour Code gives no statutory paternity leave. Any paternity leave is a matter of contract or policy.

The application fee is EC$100 after a 2020 amendment, and a separate permit fee is set by order. Some groups are exempt, so we check the route for each hire.

We check each hire's right to work before the contract is signed.

Real HR and legal experts apply the Labour Code's hours, probation and leave rules to your contract, and you direct the work. There is no setup fee and no exit fee.

Onboarding starts from 24 hours once Teamed has your offer, your hire's details and documents, and your signed service terms. Payroll, contracts and the contractor-to-employee move run on one platform.

1. Agree the offer

   Role, gross pay and contracted hours. Check the hourly rate against the EC$11.50 floor.

2. Sign the service terms

   Teamed employs your hire and issues the employment contract and the written statement of working conditions.

3. Set up payroll

   Teamed registers the hire for Social Security, Medical Benefits and the Education Levy.

4. Run the first payroll

   Your designated person's first-hire role ends at the first payslip, and the ordinary service continues.

Start from the Antigua and Barbuda hiring overview, or run the Employer Cost Calculator before your first offer goes out. EOR is the right model for a first Antigua and Barbuda hire, until it isn't.