Public Holidays, Weekends, and Leave Types in UAE

A Comprehensive Guide to Public Holidays, Weekends, and Leave Types in UAE

The UAE’s work culture is shaped by a balance of modernity and tradition, with a focus on maintaining national and religious values while fostering a productive and efficient environment. Whether you’re a resident, an expatriate, or planning to work in the UAE, it’s essential to understand the country’s public holidays, weekends, and employee leave policies. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can expect.

Public Holidays in the UAE

Public holidays in the UAE are a mix of national celebrations and religious observances, including Islamic holidays based on moon sightings. Both public and private sector employees observes the following public holidays every year :

1. New Year's Day (January 1): A global celebration marking the beginning of the year.
2. Eid Al Fitr (29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal): Celebrating the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr lasts for four days. This festive period is a time for family gatherings and community events.
3. Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha (9 to 12 Dhu al Hijjah): Eid Al Adha honors the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. The holiday lasts for four days and is a major religious observance in the UAE.
4. Hijri New Year (1 Muharram): The Islamic New Year marks the start of the Islamic lunar calendar year.
5. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (12 Rabi’ Awwal): A significant religious holiday honoring the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
6. National Day (2 and 3 December): National Day celebrates the formation of the UAE in 1971 and is marked by festivities and celebrations across the country. The theme, "Spirit of the Union," commemorates the vision of the founding fathers.

Note: The Islamic holidays are determined based on moon sightings, meaning their exact dates can vary each year.

Weekends in the UAE

The UAE recently adjusted its working week, making the weekend more aligned with global practices while respecting local traditions.

1. Federal Government Entities: The UAE federal government follows a four and a half-day working week, with office from Monday to Thursday, and a half-day on Friday. The official weekends for federal government employees are Saturday and Sunday.
2. Local Government Entities: Most emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, follow the same workweek system as the federal government, with Saturday and Sunday as official weekends.

However, Sharjah has a slightly different approach. Employees in Sharjah work four days a week (Monday to Thursday), and the weekend extends over three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Leave Types in the UAE

The UAE offers several types of leave to employees, designed to balance work with personal and family responsibilities. Here's a breakdown of the various leave types available to employees in the UAE:

1. Annual Leave: Employees who have completed six months of service are entitled to annual leave. The length of leave depends on the terms of the employee's contract.
2. Sabbatical Leave: Emiratis working in the private sector are entitled to paid sabbatical leave for national service. This extended break from work is specific to UAE nationals.
3. Study Leave: Employees who have worked with an employer for at least two years are eligible for 10 days of paid study leave per year to prepare for exams.
4. Compassionate Leave (Bereavement Leave): Employees are entitled to paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member, with 5 days granted for the death of a spouse and 3 days for the death of a parent, child, sibling, grandchild, or grandparent.
5. Hajj Leave: Employees wishing to perform the Hajj pilgrimage are entitled to unpaid special leave, which cannot exceed 30 days and can only be taken once during their employment with the company.
6. Umrah Leave: While there are no specific provisions for Umrah leave under UAE Labour Law, employees can request time off for the pilgrimage. Employers have the discretion to approve or deny the request, often treating it as either unpaid leave or deducted from annual leave.
7. Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 45 days of maternity leave. This leave can be taken up to 30 days before the expected date of delivery, with full pay for employees who have been with the employer for at least one year.
8. Parental Leave: Both mothers and fathers are entitled to 5 days of paid parental leave upon the birth of their child. The leave can be taken at any time from the date of birth up to six months.
9. Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to 90 days of sick leave per year after completing their probationary period. The leave can be taken continuously or intermittently, with pay provided as follows: the first 15 days are paid at full salary, the next 30 days are paid at half salary, and any additional sick leave after 45 days is unpaid.