In the vibrant landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where modernity meets tradition, the Leave Policy is crucial for ensuring employee welfare. Understanding the complexities of this policy is essential for both employers and employees amidst the UAE's unique mix of desert expanses and cosmopolitan cities. Employers looking to hire employees from the UAE or through an Employer of Record (EOR) in the UAE must be knowledgeable about these regulations to ensure compliance and effective workforce management.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

• Employees in the United Arab Emirates are guaranteed at least 30 calendar days of paid leave annually after completing one year of service. For employment durations exceeding six months but less than one year, workers earn two days of leave per month.
• Employers are obligated to provide employees with their salary before the start of their annual leave.
• Annual leave must be utilized within the designated year, unless the company has implemented a policy permitting carryover. 

Public Holidays

• 1 Jan 2024: New Year’s Day
• 8-15 Apr 2024: Eid al Fitr holiday
• 15 Jun 2024: Arafat Day (Tentative)
• 16-18 Jun 2024: Eid al Adha (Tentative)
• 7 Jul 2024: Islamic New Year
• 15 Sep 2024: Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
• 1-3 Dec 2024: National Day (Tentative)
• 1 Dec 2024: Commemoration Day

Sick Days

• Employees in the United Arab Emirates who have completed a probationary period of three months are eligible for paid sick leave, capped at 90 days per year.
• A medical certificate must be submitted within 48 hours of the onset of sickness to qualify for sick leave.
• Initially, employees receive full pay for the first 15 days of sickness.
• Pay reduces to 50% for the following 30 days.
• Beyond 45 days of sick leave in a year, the employee does not receive payment for further absences.

Maternity Leave

• Maternity leave in the United Arab Emirates is guaranteed to female employees by the Labor Code, regardless of its inclusion in their employment contracts.
• All female employees are entitled to a 60-day maternity leave, with the initial 45 days paid at full salary and the remaining 15 days at half salary.
• Maternity leave can be taken both before and after the due date.
• Employees can also take up to 45 additional days of unpaid leave for pregnancy-related medical conditions, with a valid medical certificate.
• Following maternity leave, female workers have the right to one or two breastfeeding breaks per day for up to 6 months after delivery, each lasting up to one hour.
• Employers are prohibited from terminating employment due to pregnancy or maternity leave.

Paternity Leave

Additional paternity leave is not provided in the UAE.

Parental Leave

Private sector employees in the United Arab Emirates receive 5 days of paid parental leave, which they can avail until their child reaches six months of age. When applying for this leave, they need to provide evidence of their child's birth.

Other Leave 

According to labor regulations in the United Arab Emirates, employees have access to the following types of leave:

Bereavement Leave

Employees are granted a duration of five days in the unfortunate event of the passing of an employee's spouse. Additionally, a period of three days is provided to employees in case of the demise of their mother, father, son, brother, sister, grandson, or grandparent.

Study Leave

Employees enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the UAE are eligible for 10 days of study leave after completing two years of employment.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in the UAE   with Gloroots

Managing employee leave can be a daunting task, especially as your business expands globally. Here at Gloroots, we understand the challenges involved in navigating leave policies, particularly in the context of UAE's labor laws. Our platform is designed to ensure compliance, maintain accurate records, streamline leave requests, and generate insightful reports. By partnering with Gloroots, you can focus on business growth while we handle the intricacies of managing employee leave effectively. Reach out to us to explore how Gloroots can simplify your HR operations and enhance efficiency in the UAE.