UAE Sick Leave Policy

The work conditions in the UAE are one of the best globally. It is possible because of the labor laws of the UAE. They entitled the employee and the employer to equal benefits without leaving any loophole for exploitation. One such benefit that the UAE labor law provides is sick leave. If you are not very aware of the sick leave policy of the UAE, read this blog until the end. Through this blog, we will equip you with every necessary detail regarding the UAE sick leave policy.

What Is Sick Leave And Who Gets It?

In the UAE, sick leave refers to a type of paid leave that is given to an employee at a time of emergency, such as injury, health issues, or other reasonable reasons. However, the duration and who is entitled to it also depends on the type of contract you have signed at the time of joining.

In addition to sick leave, there are several other types of leave that employees in the UAE are entitled to. To learn more, check out our detailed guide on Types of Leave in UAE under Labor Laws.

In the UAE, any employee who has endured their probation period is eligible for sick leave. However, during the probation period, you can get sick leave, which will completely depend on your employer and medical report. In the case of an employee who has completed their probation, they get a total of 90 days of sick leave for which:

• The first 15 days are paid
• The next 30 days are half-paid
• The rest 45 days are not paid

What Are The Reasons Behind Sick Leave?

There are a number of reasons for which an employee can ask for sick leave. The following list contains majorly all the main reasons:

Illness

One of the major reasons behind asking for sick leave is illness. There are cases when employees are suffering from a contagious or non-contagious illness; at that time, they are entitled to sick leave.

Injury

Emergency can happen to anyone at any time, and at that time, companies are with you to support you. If you get injured, either at work or outside of work, you will be eligible for sick leave by the company.

Medical appointments

If you have an appointment with your doctor, you need to provide the required medical reports and appointment proof to take sick leave.

Mental health issues

There are numerous instances when an employee suffers from a mental health problem; at that time, an employer provides them sick leave.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Women who will be mothers soon and men who will be fathers are typically entitled to maternity and paternity leave, which is considered sick leave. (Many companies may not provide paternity leaves.)

Article 31 Of UAE Labour Law: Impact on Sick Leave

In the labor law of the UAE, Article 31 protects the rights of the employee and talks in their favor that if any mishap happens to an employee, either in the form of injury or illness, the company or the employer is entitled to pay the employee until they do not come back. However, the employee must submit a valid medical report provided by the government health authority of the UAE. For more details, refer to the following information:

Paid sick leave

As an employee, you are always entitled to paid sick leave in case of need.

Duration

There is no fixed duration of sick leave. It always varies depending on the nature of the illness or injury. Further, there is also a significant role in the policies of the company.

Medical certificate

It is essential for the employees to provide a medical certificate from the UAE government health authority to support their sick leave claim.

Company policies

It is important to understand that along with the UAE labor laws, every company has its own internal policies regarding sick leave. These policies may supplement or complement the provisions of the Labor Law.

To Sum It Up

That is it! We have covered every essential detail regarding sick leave in the UAE. From understanding who is entitled to sick leave and how much its duration is to reasons for which sick leave is granted and the main article for sick leave in the UAE, we have understood it all! Hope you have liked the information and will share it with all your colleagues in the UAE. We will see you in some other blog, with some other topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible for sick leave in the UAE?
   Employees who have completed 3 months after probation are eligible for sick leave.
2. How many days of sick leave are allowed?
   Employees can take up to 90 days of sick leave: 15 full-paid, 30 half-paid, and 45 unpaid.
3. Can employees on probation take sick leave?
   Yes, but only unpaid sick leave with employer approval and a valid medical report.
4. Is sick leave provided for drug-related illnesses?
   No, employees are not entitled to paid sick leave for illnesses caused by drug or alcohol use.
5. Can an employee work elsewhere during sick leave?
   No, working for another employer during sick leave can lead to termination and legal action.
6. How soon must employees inform employers of sick leave?
   Employees must inform their employer within three days of taking sick leave.
7. Can an employee be terminated during sick leave?
   Yes, if the employee doesn’t return after 90 days of sick leave or violates other conditions.
8. What happens if an employee resigns during sick leave?
   The employee may resign before 45 days of sick leave, with wages paid for up to 45 days.
9. Can an employer terminate an employee for not reporting sick leave?
   Yes, if an employee fails to report their sick leave for more than seven days.
10. Where can employees seek help for unlawful treatment?
    Employees can approach Tasheel to resolve employment-related issues in the UAE.
11. Is sick leave different from emergency leave in the UAE?
    Yes, sick leave is separate and can last up to 90 days, with varying pay scales.
12. What are the working hours in the UAE?
    Private sector employees work 8 hours a day, 48 hours a week; exceptions apply for specific sectors.
13. Are public holidays included in emergency leave?
    No, public holidays are not counted as part of emergency leave.