Maximizing Leave Benefits: Combining Parental and Annual Leave in the UAE

In the UAE, employees are entitled to a set number of leave days to support family responsibilities, including parental leave. Here’s how you can manage combining paternity leave with annual leave.

Parental Leave Entitlement
Under Article 32(1)(b) of the Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021, employees are entitled to five working days of parental leave to care for their child. This leave must be utilized within six months from the child’s birth

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Documentation Requirements
To avail of parental leave, employees must provide their employer with a copy of the child’s birth certificate, as stipulated in Article 21(4) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022. This documentation is necessary to verify the entitlement to parental leave.

Combining Leave Types
Employees can combine their parental leave with annual leave. This is permitted under Article 21(5) of the Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, which allows for the combination of various leave types, including bereavement, parental, annual, and unpaid leave.

Process and Considerations
If you wish to take an extended break, you can schedule your five days of paternity leave and then use your annual leave consecutively or at different times within the six-month period following your child's birth. This approach allows you to support your family effectively while managing your leave entitlements.
By combining paternity leave with annual leave, you can extend your time off and ensure you are available to support your family during a significant period.
 

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