UAE Sick Leave Rules: Complete Employer Guide
Comprehensive guide to UAE sick leave (90 days), payment structure (15 days full pay, 30 days half pay), medical certificates, and employer obligations under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Quick Summary: Comprehensive guide to UAE sick leave (90 days), payment structure (15 days full pay, 30 days half pay), medical certificates, and employer obligations under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
Employees in the UAE are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. This guide covers sick leave entitlements, payment structure, medical certificate requirements, and employer obligations.
All sick leave claims must be supported by a medical certificate from an authorized facility as per MOHRE regulations.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Article 31, Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 |
| Maximum Duration | 90 days per year |
| Full Pay Period | First 15 days |
| Half Pay Period | Next 30 days |
| Unpaid Period | Remaining 45 days |
Sick Leave Entitlement
Employees are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year after completing the probation period.
Payment Structure
| Period | Days | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| First period | 15 days | Full pay (100%) |
| Second period | 30 days | Half pay (50%) |
| Third period | 45 days | Unpaid (0%) |
| Total | 90 days | - |
Key Points
- Leave can be taken continuously or intermittently
- Entitlement resets each year of service
- Based on calendar days (includes weekends)
- Cannot be carried forward to next year
- Cannot be cashed out
Eligibility Requirements
Who is Eligible
| Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Full-time employees | Yes (after probation) |
| Part-time employees | Yes (pro-rata basis) |
| Employees on probation | No paid sick leave (unpaid may be granted) |
| Fixed-term contract employees | Yes (after probation) |
During Probation
During the probation period, employees are:
- Not entitled to paid sick leave
- Employer may grant unpaid sick leave
- Must provide medical certificate
- Leave at employer's discretion
Employer may also:
- Grant unpaid leave with medical certificate
- Grant paid leave voluntarily
- Terminate during probation (with proper notice)
Medical Certificate Requirements
All sick leave requires a medical certificate from an authorized medical facility.
Authorized Facilities
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Government hospitals | Dubai Health Authority hospitals |
| Licensed private hospitals | All licensed facilities |
| Government clinics | Ministry of Health clinics |
| Licensed private clinics | Registered with health authority |
Certificate Must Include
- Patient name and ID
- Diagnosis or medical condition
- Dates of illness
- Recommended leave period
- Doctor's signature and stamp
- Facility license number
Extended Illness (5+ Days)
For sick leave exceeding 5 consecutive days:
- May require review by Higher Medical Committee
- Particularly for leave exceeding 1 month
- Updated MoHAP and DHA regulations apply
Important: Without a valid medical certificate, sick leave may be marked as unpaid or treated as unauthorized absence.
Notification Requirements
Employee Obligations
- Inform employer about illness within 3 days
- Submit medical certificate as soon as available
- Keep employer updated for extended illness
- Provide contact information during leave
Methods of Notification
- Phone call to supervisor
- Email to HR department
- Company sick leave portal
- As per company policy
Failure to Notify
Consequences of not notifying employer:
- May result in unpaid leave
- Could lead to disciplinary action
- Absence may be treated as unauthorized
When Sick Leave is Not Granted
Paid sick leave is not granted if illness results from:
| Cause | Status |
|---|---|
| Alcohol consumption | Not covered |
| Drug use | Not covered |
| Violation of safety instructions | Not covered |
| Employee misconduct | Not covered |
| Self-inflicted injury | Not covered |
Employer may investigate if illness is suspected to result from misconduct.
Termination and Sick Leave
Protection During Sick Leave
Employers cannot terminate employees while on sick leave - this is a key protection under UAE law.
After Exhausting 90 Days
Exception: After exhausting 90 days of sick leave:
- If employee cannot return to work
- Employer may terminate the contract
- Employee entitled to all end-of-service benefits
Termination Process After 90 Days
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm 90 days exhausted |
| 2 | Medical assessment confirms inability to work |
| 3 | Provide termination notice |
| 4 | Pay full end-of-service benefits |
| 5 | Process final settlement within 14 days |
Sick Leave During Annual Leave
Falling Sick on Vacation
If an employee becomes sick during annual leave:
- Notify employer immediately
- Obtain medical certificate
- Sick days not counted against annual leave
- Annual leave restored for sick days
Requirements
- Medical certificate must cover exact dates
- Notification within 3 days of falling sick
- Certificate from authorized facility
Example
Employee on 10 days annual leave falls sick for 3 days:
| Leave Type | Days |
|---|---|
| Annual leave originally taken | 10 days |
| Days converted to sick leave | 3 days |
| Annual leave balance restored | 3 days |
| Net annual leave used | 7 days |
Salary Calculation
Sick Leave Pay Structure
| Period | Days | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full pay period | First 15 days | Full salary (basic + allowances) |
| Half pay period | Days 16-45 | Full salary × 50% |
| Unpaid period | Days 46-90 | AED 0 |
Example Calculation
Employee Details:
- Monthly salary: AED 12,000
- Daily rate: AED 400
- Sick leave taken: 25 days
Calculation:
| Period | Days | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 15 days | 15 | AED 400 | AED 6,000 |
| Next 10 days (half pay) | 10 | AED 200 | AED 2,000 |
| Total | 25 | - | AED 8,000 |
vs. full salary of AED 10,000 for 25 days
Free Zone Variations
DIFC Sick Leave
| Period | Days | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| First period | 10 working days | Full pay |
| Second period | 20 working days | Half pay |
| Third period | 30 working days | Unpaid |
| Total | 60 working days | - |
Note: DIFC uses working days, not calendar days.
ADGM
Similar to DIFC - check specific regulations.
Other Free Zones
Generally follow federal law, but verify with specific zone authority.
WPS Reporting
Sick leave periods affect WPS reporting:
- Full pay periods: Normal salary through WPS
- Half pay periods: Reduced salary through WPS
- Unpaid periods: Document in MOHRE system
Keep records for WPS audit: medical certificates, leave approval records, and salary calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Automate Sick Leave Management
NeuralHR tracks sick leave balances, validates medical certificates, and calculates pay automatically according to UAE labor law.
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NeuralHR Team
VerifiedUAE HR Compliance Experts
Our team of HR professionals and legal experts specializes in UAE labor law compliance, with extensive experience helping businesses navigate MOHRE regulations, Emiratisation requirements, and workforce management in the UAE and GCC region.
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