What is sick leave?

Sick leave is a type of leave granted to employees when they are unable to work due to illness, injury, or medical conditions. Sick leave in the UAE is regulated under the UAE Labour Law, which ensures employees can take time off to recover without losing their job. Depending on the duration and the employee’s length of service, sick leave can be paid or unpaid. Documentation, such as a medical certificateis usually required to validate this type of leave.

How many days of sick leave are employees entitled to in the UAE?

Employees are entitled to up to 90 days of sick leave per year under UAE Labour Law, provided they submit proper medical documentation. The entitlement is broken down as follows:

• First 15 days – fully paid.
• Next 30 days – paid at 50% of salary.
• Remaining 45 days – unpaid.

For longer absences, employers may also request attestation from UAE health authorities or additional sick leave validation as per HR policy.

What medical documents are required for sick leave approval?

Employees need to submit a medical certificate issued by a licensed medical professional in the UAE. The certificate should include:

• The diagnosis or reason for absence.
• The duration of the recommended rest period.
• The doctor’s name, license number, and contact information.

In some cases, employers may also require the certificate to be attested by a hospital or government health authority for longer sick leave.

Can sick leave be combined with other types of leave?

Yes, in some cases sick leave can be combined with other leave types, such as annual leave or compassionate leave, if an employee falls ill during pre-approved leave. HR policies usually define the process to adjust leave balances. However, combining sick leave with unpaid leave or casual leave must be approved by the employer.

Do employees on probation get sick leave in the UAE?

During probation, employees are generally entitled to sick leave but may receive only a portion of it or have shorter durations based on the probation policy. Paid sick leave during probation is typically capped, and employers have discretion over approval. Employees should check their employment contract for specific provisions regarding sick leave during their probation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days of sick leave can an employee take in the UAE?

Employees can take up to 90 days of sick leave in a year. The first 15 days are fully paid, the next 30 days are paid at 50%, and the remaining 45 days are unpaid. These entitlements are calculated based on continuous service and are pro-rated during probation.

Is sick leave paid during the probation period?

Yes, probationary employees are entitled to sick leave, but the number of days and payment may be limited. Employers often pay only a portion of the salary during probation, depending on the employment contract.

Can employers reject a sick leave application?

Employers can reject a sick leave request if the employee fails to submit valid medical documents or if the leave is suspected to be misused. However, rejecting legitimate medical leave without reason is against UAE Labour Law.

What percentage of salary is paid during sick leave?

During sick leave, employees receive 100% of their salary for the first 15 days, 50% for the next 30 days, and no pay for the remaining 45 days. Some companies may offer better pay based on internal HR policies.

Does sick leave affect annual leave accrual in the UAE?

Sick leave does not reduce annual leave entitlement, but prolonged unpaid sick leave may delay accrual depending on company policy. The exact impact should be checked in the employment contract or HR guidelines.