Types of leave in the UAE: a simple guide

Understanding leave types in the UAE

Leave is one of the areas UAE employers and employees ask about most, because the entitlements are set by the UAE Labour Law and apply across the private sector. Getting leave right keeps you compliant and keeps staff satisfied — and it all depends on accurate records of who has taken what. Below are the main statutory leave types, in plain terms.

Annual leave

Employees who have completed one year of service are generally entitled to 30 calendar days of paid annual leave a year. Those who have worked more than six months but less than a year are usually entitled to two days’ leave for each month worked. Annual leave is paid at the employee’s normal wage.

Sick leave

After probation, employees are generally entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year, paid on a sliding scale — typically the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 at half pay, and the rest unpaid. A medical report is usually required.

Maternity, parental & other leave

Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave, and the law also provides parental leave for new parents. Public holidays are granted on full pay. Employers may add compassionate (bereavement), study or other leave on top of the statutory minimums. Because rules change, always confirm current entitlements with MOHRE.

Tracking leave accurately

Every leave type depends on accurate balances and history. M1 TimePilot tracks leave alongside attendance, so balances update automatically, requests are approved in a few clicks, and employees can check their own remaining days through self-service — removing guesswork and disputes at year end.

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