One of the most significant parts of the company’s structure right now is the balance between work and personal life. Learn how giving your employees time off in the UAE is important for their well-being.
It’s been a long time since we’ve helped consumers in a wide range of fields. We can give you clear and easy-to-understand information about the leave policies of the UAE.
A leave of absence is permission you provide your workers to take time off from work for a certain number of days. According to the UAE laws, workers are entitled to the following types of leaves:
Weekly Days Off for UAE Employees
Employers in the UAE give staff members a day off every week so they can rest and do their personal tasks.
Based on their leave rules and the contracts of their staff members, employers give them one or two days off. After both the employer and the worker agree, the agreement is written and signed.
The UAE law changed the working days for government workers. Friday is only a half day, and Sunday is off. Even firms in the private sector can change their policies to support their workers and their families for simple types of leaves.
Yearly Time-off for UAE Employees
The new UAE labor law says that employees are entitled to the following yearly leave:
If they have worked for one year, they receive thirty days off; if they have worked for six months but not a year, they receive two days off every month.
If the employee’s job ends before they use all of their yearly leave, they will get leave for the last part of their final year of service. Part-time workers are entitled to a yearly break based on the number of hours they worked, as stated in their contract of hire.
Sick Days Off for UAE Workers
During the probationary phase, the worker is not allowed to take sick leave with compensation. Sick leave doesn’t start until after a trial period. The labor law now says that sick leave can only be taken for a maximum of ninety days of work per year.
The initial fifteen days will be paid in full.
For the next thirty days, you’ll get half pay.
There will be no pay for the following forty-five days.
The UAE Labor Law says that workers must give their companies a medical report from a medical institution within three days of getting sick.
Emergency Days-off for Workers in the UAE
A worker can’t plan their every time off for such types of leaves in Dubai. Sometimes, an employee has to deal with an emergency while at work. Because of this, most firms provide employees an Emergency Leave when something unexpected happens.
Employers are still somewhat flexible because it could be hard to predict exactly how many days off are needed for an emergency. But the worker needs to let the boss know as soon as possible so that regular work isn’t affected.
Because the legislation doesn’t cover emergency leave, the employer in question needs to make a decision. The company’s leave policies will determine whether or not you can go. The boss can choose whether or not to pay.
Maternity Days-off for UAE Female Workers
A woman who works for the company can take sixty days of maternity leave. These types of leaves include:
The first forty-five days will be paid in full.
For the next fifteen days, you’ll only get half pay.
A female employee can apply for maternity leave up to thirty days before the expected due date of delivery. If she gets sick while she is pregnant or after she gives birth and can’t work again, she can take an extra forty-five days off without pay instead of the regular maternity leave.
To prove the illness, you need a medical certificate from the right medical authority. These days off can be continuous or spread out.
Parental Time-off for Male Workers in the UAE
The UAE is the only Arab country to offer parental leave to workers in the private sector. Workers can take up to five working days to six months of parental leave, starting with childbirth. Both parents can ask for these types of leaves in the UAE, which is compensated time off.
Bereavement Days-off for UAE Workers
If someone in a worker’s family dies, their boss will give them Bereavement Leave.
If your spouse dies, you can take five days off for bereavement leave. If a close relative dies, like a parent, brother, son, or grandparent, the leave lasts for three days.
Employees in the UAE must examine their company’s leave policy before asking for a Bereavement/Compassionate Leave because different organizations give different perks.
Educational Time-off for UAE Employees
The UAE’s new labor law includes paid study leave since the government understands how important education is for a worker’s professional and personal growth.
Suppose an employee is going to educational institutions at one of the approved universities in the UAE. In that case, they can take a ten-day paid leave of absence to take an assessment. A staff member must have worked for the organization for at least two years to take study leave.
Ramadan Off Timings for UAE Employees
Muslims fast and pray during the holy month of Ramadan. Since work must take place at the same time, companies cut back on the regular working hours.
During Ramadan, most employers don’t have their employees work a full day. Every day, they cut the number of hours people work by two.
All staff members, regardless of their religion, must follow Ramadan hours. This effect of relaxing also applies to persons who work inside or outside. Construction workers will still have their lunch break from noon to three in the afternoon. This benefit is meant to lower their danger of being exposed to heat.
Hajj or Pilgrimage Days-off for Employees in the UAE
Muslim workers can take a Hajj Leave to embark on a pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city in Saudi Arabia. Hajj Leave is a type of unpaid time off that employees can take for a maximum of thirty days. They can only take this leave once while they work for the company.
Before taking time off, employees must talk to their boss about their plans so that other people can take over their work.
Sabbatical Days-off for Employees in the UAE
Sabbatical leave is a special type of leave in the UAE’s labor relations system. It is not the usual academic sabbatical break; it is a leave given just to Emirati citizens so they can do their national duty.
A sabbatical might be as short as eleven months or as long as three years. This rule is required for male Emirati workers, but female workers can choose to follow it. The goal is to give people a consistent source of income through work so they can help their country flourish in a positive way.
The employees who are affected must have official papers from the right organization. It proves they have to undertake the national duty. During the sabbatical, a worker is still an employee of the company, so after the service term is over, each party can go back to work without any problems.
Conclusion
To encourage more productivity, follow labor laws, keep good relationships with employees, and avoid lawsuits, it is very important that your HR management knows and properly applies the rules around all types of leaves.
FAQS
What are the Public Holidays in the UAE?
All employees are entitled to paid time off on all official holidays and days off. Employees who have to work on certain days should be paid fairly, or they can have other days off that they can use whenever they want or as part of an arrangement with their employer.
What are the eligibility criteria for educational leave for UAE employees?
To be acceptable, workers must have worked for the same company for at least two years without a break.
What is the eligibility for Hajj or Pilgrimage Leave for UAE employees?
This privilege is only good for one time throughout the employee’s tenure within the company.
Are public holidays separate from annual leave?
Yes. UAE public holidays are in addition to annual leave and do not reduce annual leave days.