As the May holidays approach, many workers in Russia are eager to maximize their time off and enjoy extended vacations. Expert Anna Saigina from the "Professions of the Future" center has shared valuable insights on how to effectively plan vacations for May 2025 to ensure a longer, more financially beneficial break.
Saigina emphasizes that the key to a successful vacation during this period lies in choosing the right dates. According to her, if part of the vacation falls on May 2, May 3, May 7, May 8, or May 10, 2025, employees will earn more than if they simply took regular weekdays off. "Many want to combine vacation with the May holidays. It's important to choose the dates correctly. If part of the vacation falls on May 2, 3, 7, 8, or 10, you will receive more money than if those were regular weekends," she explained.
One of the critical points Saigina made is that public holidays and weekends are not compensated separately. Instead, salaries are maintained due to the increased cost of working days. However, if these holiday dates are included in a vacation request, the employer will pay them based on average earnings, similar to regular vacation days. For instance, taking vacation from May 2 to May 8 would convert four weekends—May 2, May 3, May 7, and May 8—into paid days, resulting in a higher paycheck.
Saigina further clarified that the official holidays on May 1 and May 9 are not counted as vacation days. This means that if someone takes a vacation from May 1 to May 10, those two holiday dates will not be counted against their vacation time. Consequently, employees could effectively enjoy two extra days off or use those holidays at another time. "For example, if you take vacation from May 1 to May 10, May 1 and May 9 will not be counted as vacation days. In fact, you will rest for two days longer or be able to use them later," she noted.
However, Saigina warns against planning vacations in the second half of May. She describes this timing as economically disadvantageous due to the high number of public holidays, which raises the cost of a working day significantly compared to other months. This could lead to a substantial reduction in income if the vacation does not coincide with weekends. "Taking vacation in the second half of May 2025 is economically unwise. Due to the high number of public holidays, the cost of a working day in May significantly exceeds that of other months," she stated.
To ensure a seamless vacation planning process, Saigina advises employees to submit vacation requests at least two weeks before their intended start date. This allows ample time to calculate all options and agree on dates with employers. "Don't postpone vacation planning. Most employees should submit their request two weeks before it starts. The main thing is to calculate all options in advance and coordinate dates with the employer," she summarized.
In summary, with the right planning, employees can enjoy a longer vacation while also maximizing their earnings during the May holidays. By carefully choosing vacation dates and understanding how holiday pay works, workers can make the most of their time off this spring.
