Annual Leaves in UAE: Know About the Rules and Laws

Understanding the Policy Defined by the Government for Annual Leaves in UAE


If you are planning to move UAE lately, you should know about work and holidays schedule of the country. You should know about the annual leaves policy in the UAE, as that plays a major role in deciding your yearly vacations. Fortunately, the policy of annual leaves in UAE is quite good. The government has designated specific number of days for annual leaves in UAE. This policy has been made to give employees equal time of relaxation. This is what makes UAE a top destination to find work, because incentives other than that of salary are pretty good here.

All the companies in the UAE adhere to the leaves policy defined by the government. In fact, some companies offer more annual leaves based on their internal policies. In this regard, the name of software development companies in UAE always comes on top, because they provide such great benefits to their employees. Apart from leaves, they also offer medical insurance, bi-annual bonuses and other incentives, so that employees can work with maximum motivation and benefits.

So, if you are interested to work in Dubai, you must need to know about the annual leaves in UAE. This blog is precisely written to let you know about the overall policy of annual leaves in UAE. Lets start from the basics understanding what is annual leave and why it is given to employees in every company across the UAE.

What is Annual Leave?

Leaves calendar

Annual leave, commonly known as vacation or holiday leave, refers to the time off from work that an employee is entitled to take each year as part of their employment benefits. It is a period during which an employee is granted permission to be away from their job without loss of pay. The purpose of annual leave is to provide employees with an opportunity to rest, recharge, and attend to personal and recreational activities, contributing to their overall well-being and work-life balance.

Employers typically establish a specific amount of annual leave for each employee, often based on factors such as years of service, company policies, or local labor regulations. The duration of annual leave can vary, but it is commonly expressed in terms of days or weeks. During this time, employees may choose to travel, spend time with family and friends, pursue hobbies, or simply take a break from the demands of their professional responsibilities.

Working in a software development company or any other organization, the process of requesting and approving annual leave usually involves communication between the employee and their supervisor or human resources department. Employers may set guidelines for submitting leave requests and may require advance notice to ensure proper staffing and workflow management. While on annual leave, employees are generally not expected to perform work-related tasks, allowing them to fully disconnect and enjoy their time away from the workplace.

Types of Leaves in UAE

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Working in the UAE, you can avail different types of leaves. It is not just about availing some casual or sick leaves, but other time-offs related to different categories. If you do not know much about them, take a look at the classification given below. It will let you understand how many types of leaves you can avail in UAE every year.

Study Leave

Many individuals in various business sectors share the common aspiration of advancing in their careers. Their primary aim is to take their education forward while keeping the pace of their current job consistent. Achieving upward progress often involves adopting a reliable strategy, and in the context of the UAE, employees can pursue this through continuous study and personal development.

In the United Arab Emirates, the opportunities for continuous study and personal development are diverse and accessible. Employees can engage in formal education programs related to artificial intelligence in UAE, attend workshops and training sessions, or explore online courses to stay abreast of industry trends and acquire new competencies.

Hajj And Umrah Leave

Embarking on a pilgrimage holds a significant place within Islam, representing one of the fundamental tenets encapsulated in the five pillars of the faith. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Islamic authorities accord profound importance to Hajj, deeming it not only a religious obligation but also recognizing it as a valid reason for Muslims to take time off from their professional commitments.

The pilgrimage to Makkah, or Hajj, is revered as the most crucial expedition within the Islamic faith. Muslim residents in the UAE are afforded the opportunity to fulfill this religious duty and connect with their faith on a profound level. The recognition of Hajj as a legitimate reason to take a break from work in the UAE underscores the nation’s commitment to accommodating religious practices efficiently.

Compassionate Leave

Experiencing the death of a loved one is a profound and transformative event that significantly impacts the mental and physical well-being of individuals connected to the deceased. Recognizing this emotional moment, the employment laws in the UAE include provisions allowing workers to take a designated period of time off from their professional responsibilities.

The inclusion of mourning leave in the UAE employment law underscores the nation’s commitment to fostering a compassionate and considerate work environment. This provision not only acknowledges the inevitability of personal loss but also reflects a societal understanding of the need for individuals to navigate the grieving process without the added burden of work-related obligations.

Maternity Leave

Welcoming a new life into the world through childbirth is a transformative experience, significantly impacting the mental and physical well-being of parents. Recognizing the profound adjustments and health considerations associated with childbirth, the labor laws in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) incorporate comprehensive provisions for substantial maternity leave.

The inclusion of substantial maternity leave in the UAE labor laws underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting a family-friendly and supportive work environment. By providing ample time for new mothers to navigate the complexities of early motherhood, the legislation acknowledges the importance of fostering a healthy work-life balance.

Sick Leave

As stated in Article 31 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 33, employees are entitled to a comprehensive sick leave policy in the UAE. This policy allows workers to avail themselves of up to 90 days of sick leave on an annual basis, wherein the initial fifteen days are granted with full payment. Following this initial period, the subsequent thirty days are compensated at a rate of half pay.

The intricacies of the sick leave policy outlined in Article 31 reflect a nuanced understanding of the diverse health circumstances that employees may face throughout the year. By providing full payment for the first fifteen days, followed by a period of reduced but still partial compensation, the legislation seeks to balance the financial support provided to employees as per the pragmatic realities of prolonged illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by annual leave?
Annual leave refers to the designated period of time that employees are granted off from work each year. It is a standard employment benefit provided by companies, aimed at promoting work-life balance and employee well-being.
Why taking annual leaves is important?
Taking time off from work is crucial for maintaining mental and physical well-being, reducing burnout, and fostering overall work-life balance, contributing to enhanced productivity and job satisfaction.
How many types of leaves you can avail every year?
There are different types of leaves you can avail every year in the UAE. It includes sick, casual, maternity, study, compassionate, parental, Hajj pilgrimage and more other leaves.

Final Words

That brings us to the end of this blog in which we have discussed what type of annual leaves in UAE can be availed by the workers. A lot of times, people simply do not know about leaves they could easily avail in the UAE. The government stated policy allows everyone to avail those leaves, provided they are giving the right reasons and are not lying to their employers.

This blog has listed different types of leaves that you can avail in UAE every year. It is recommended to read the policies related to them properly, so that you can make a clear mind before applying for any. Most of these leaves are approved by the employers easily, as they are mandated by the official government of the UAE.

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