Employees and employers should be familiar with the entitlements to leaves in the UAE. The UAE Labour Law is full of various types of leave that employees belonging to the private sector may have to be treated fairly, have a balance in their work and life, and the law was created with the purpose to be followed.
In a simple table format, the guide by HHS Lawyers outlines the primary types of leave in the UAE, proceeding with the important legal notes you are expected to be aware of.
Types of Leave in the UAE
| Type of Leave | Entitlement | Paid / Unpaid | Key Legal Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Leave | 30 calendar days annually (after 1 year) | Paid | In case of 6–12 months service: 2 days per month |
| Sick Leave | Up to 90 days in a year | Partially Paid | 15 days full pay, 30 days half pay, 45 days no pay |
| Maternity Leave | 60 days in total | Paid / Half Paid | 45 full pay, 15 half pay |
| Paternity / Parental Leave | 5 working days | Paid | May be availed during 6 months of childbirth |
| Public Holidays | As announced by UAE government | Paid | Includes Eid, National Day, Islamic holidays |
| Bereavement Leave | 3–5 days | Paid | 5 days for spouse, 3 days for close relatives |
| Hajj Leave | Up to 30 days (once in service) | Unpaid | Only to Muslim employees |
| Study Leave | Up to 10 days a year | Paid (conditional) | Normally after 2 years of service |
| Emergency Leave | As allowed by employer | Typically Unpaid | Not spelt out by law |
| Weekly Rest Days | One or two days a week | Paid | Usually either Friday or weekend |
| Unpaid Leave | At will of both parties | Unpaid | Approval of employer |
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Annual Leave in the UAE
All employees with a service of one year are allowed 30 days of annual paid holiday. Employees who have served six months to one year get two days of leave a month.
The annual leave that is not used is paid out on termination, at the basic salary of the employee, unless the contract provides otherwise.
Sick Leave Rules
The employees have a right to receive up to 90 days of sick leave annually as long as they hand a valid medical certificate. The payment will be split into three phases:
First 15 days – full pay
Next 30 days – half pay
Remaining 45 days – unpaid
Sick leave is not possible to be taken during the probation period without the consent of the employer.
Maternity & Paternity Leave
The female employees have the right to 60 days of maternity leave with a partial salary insurances. Parental leave of five paid working days is also given to fathers in accordance with current labour policies in the UAE that are family friendly.
Dismissal during the maternity leave is highly illegal under the UAE law.
Religious Leave and Public Holidays
Each employee is entitled to paid leaves during official announced UAE public holidays. The Muslim employees are also allowed to take Hajj leave to a maximum of 30 unpaid days once in their employment time.
Study, Emergency Leave and Bereavement
Bereavement leave gives employees an opportunity to take leave after the death of a loved one. Employees who are pursuing well-known educational programs are entitled to study leave under specific conditions.
The emergency leave is not controlled by law in particular and is normally controlled by the company policy.
Why Legal Advice Matters
Failure to understand the entitlements of leave may result in:
Labour disputes
Salary claims
Non-compliance will be penalized
HHS Lawyers help employers and employees in:
Labour law compliance
Employment contract review
Leave entitlement disputes
MOHRE complaints and claims
Conclusion
The UAE labour law has well-organised and safeguarding employee entitlements of leave. To prevent the conflict and facilitate the adherence, clear policies, adequate documentation, and legal advice are necessary.
To seek professional guidance in cases relating to employment law in the UAE, there is always the need to seek the advice of experienced legal advisors.
Need Labour Law Help?
Dubai's Expert Advice at Your Fingertips.
FAQ”s
What is the minimum entitlement of leave, in the UAE per year?
The employees with one year of service shall receive 30 calendar days of paid annual leave. All employees who have a period of six months or less than one year are entitled to two days of leave every month.
Does it have paid annual leave on termination of employment?
Yes. Every annual leave unused shall be paid out in the event of termination at a rate of the basic salary of the employee unless the employment contract stipulates otherwise.
In the UAE, what is the number of sick leaves?
The employees have the right to take up to 90 days of sick leave annually and provide an acceptable medical certificate.
In the UAE labour law, how does sick leave work out?
The paid sick leave is paid in the following manner; the first 15 days will be on a full pay, the next 30 days will be on a half pay and the rest of the 45 days will be when no pay will be received.
Is it possible to take sick leaves during the probation period?
Probation sick leaves are not permissible without the permission of the employer.
What is the maternity leave of UAE?
The female staff is allowed 60 days of maternity leave, of which 45 days should be fully paid and 15 days should be half paid.
Can sacking be considered during the maternity leave period?
Do fathers have a right to parental or paternity leave in the UAE?
Yes. Fathers are also allowed five days of paid working parental leave, which they may take in a period of six months after the birth of the child.
Are the paid public holidays in the UAE?
Yes. All official UAE public holidays should be granted paid leaves to employees.
What is the Hajj leave and who is eligible to take it?
On leave is the hajj leave: It is an unpaid leave of up to 30 days, which is granted once in the course of the employment, and only Muslim employees are entitled to this leave.
Is bereavement leave recognised in the UAE law?
Yes. The employees have a right to bereavement leave, usually five days in the case of the demise of the spouse, and three days in the case of close family members.
Is study leave provided by UAE labour law?
Employees on recognised educational programs are allowed to take study leave under some conditions, typically after two years of service.
Is there a compulsory emergency leave in the UAE labour law?
Law does not mentioned emergency leave in particular, it is usually the company policy that governs it.
Is refusal of unpaid leave by an employer possible?
Yes. The unpaid leave must be agreed upon and should be allowed by the employer.
