Baby on the way but is a six-month maternity leave allowed in UAE?

While some UAE companies permit employees to take additional time off without pay, there is no entitlement to this under the law and it is very much at the employer’s discretion.

I will be having my first child in a few months and would like to know what the law says about taking time off for this. I believe I am entitled to take 100 days of leave, but would like to take a break of six months before returning to work. Am I able to do this and what are the consequences if I do? TJ, Abu Dhabi

Article 30 of UAE Labour Law states that “a working woman is entitled to maternity leave with full pay for a period of 45 days including the time before and after delivery, provided that her continuous period of service with the employer should not be less than a year, but if a working woman has not completed the said period, the maternity leave shall be with half pay”. It then goes on to say: “a working woman, on the expiry of the maternity leave, may discontinue work without pay for a maximum period of 100 consecutive or intermittent days if such absence is due to illness which does not enable her to resume work. Such illness shall be evidenced by a medical certificate issued by a medical authority attested by the competent health authority or endorsed by such authorities to the effect that the illness resulted from pregnancy or delivery.” While some companies permit employees to take additional time off without pay, there is no entitlement to this under the law and it is very much at the employer’s discretion.

Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with over 20 years experience. Contact her at [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate independent legal advice.

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