In the UAE, employees are entitled to five working days of parental leave, which must be used within six months from the date of birth of their child. This leave can be taken by either the father or the mother to care for their child in accordance with Article 32(1) (b) of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations. Additionally, a parent requesting parental leave must provide their employer with a copy of the child’s birth certificate as per Article 21 (4) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. It is important to note that this leave period must be taken within the six-month period following the birth of the child.
Employees in the UAE have the option to combine their parental leave with their annual leave. According to Article 21 (5) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, bereavement leave, parental leave, annual leave, and unpaid leave may be combined. This means that if you are a parent of a newly born child, you are entitled to take your five working days of parental leave and also use your annual leave within the same six-month period following your child’s birth. This flexibility allows employees to take extended time off to support their families during important life events such as the birth of a child.
It is important for employees planning to take parental leave and combine it with annual leave to adhere to the requirements set out in the relevant laws and regulations. Providing the necessary documentation, such as the child’s birth certificate, is crucial to ensure that your leave request is approved by your employer. By following the guidelines and procedures outlined in the law, employees can effectively utilize their entitlement to parental leave and annual leave while supporting their families during significant milestones.
Ashish Mehta, the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates, is a legal expert qualified to practice law in Dubai, the United Kingdom, and India. He provides guidance on various legal matters, including employment relations and leave entitlements. Readers can reach out to him with their questions or concerns regarding legal issues by emailing [email protected] or sending inquiries to Legal View, Khaleej Times, PO Box 11243, Dubai. By seeking advice from legal professionals like Ashish Mehta, employees can ensure that they are well-informed and compliant with the laws governing parental leave and annual leave in the UAE.
