Paternity Leave in UAE: Duration, Eligibility, & Labour Law

The UAE has recently amended its laws and regulations to support family life. This blog is about the changes and how the people in families have been affected. The governance of paternity leave in UAE forms a part of this change and is an extension of rights for new dads working within the private sector.

The new law is designed to help working families live better and ensure that mothers and fathers are treated equally. Employers should help follow these new rules.

The new rules are suitable for both workers and bosses. They help make the workplace nicer for everyone. Employers should help follow these new rules. Thus, the focus will be on how these changes will affect the UAE’s labor market and family life. You will find elaborations and opinions on these issues here in this blog.

Background on Paternity Leave

Paid parental leave enables male employees to be relieved from work so that they can take care of new-born kids. This leads to the development of the father-child relationship among the children of those employed by the company. Paternity leave did not exist in the past or was rarely practiced as a policy.

Paternity leave has only emerged as a concept for consideration in many countries in the past few decades. It supports fathers in taking an active role in early childcare. Various countries have implemented paternity leave policies to promote gender equality in parenting.

Key Points:

• Purpose: Encourages fathers to engage in early child-rearing activities.
• Global Practices: Countries like Sweden and Iceland offer extensive parental leave.
• Benefits: Enhances family bonding, reduces maternal burden, and promotes work-life balance.

Paternity leave policies vary significantly across regions. Some countries offer paid leave, while others provide unpaid or partially paid leave. The leave duration also varies from country to country, causing cultural and legal differences.

Dynamics of Paternity Leave from the Legal Perspective in the UAE

These are the UAE steps; organization measures that focus on family values include the laws on paternity leave in the United Arab Emirates. The current leader of the UAE is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who updated the UAE Labor Law in 2021.

This change made the UAE the first in the Middle East to offer paid paternity leave and cut the wait time by fifty days.

The UAE Agenda for 2021 approved the rule that both parents must help take care of their child in the early years.

Key Provisions:

• Eligibility: Male employees in the private sector.
• Duration: Five days of paid leave within the first six months of the child’s birth.
• Implementation: Effective from September 2020.

Fathers are guaranteed a complete five days off work because regular weekends are not included in the leave calculation. The new law provides five working days of paid parental leave for both male and female private sector employees.

Differences between Private and Public Sector

Male employees in private companies can avail of five days of special annual leave. These five days must be taken within the first month of the child’s birth, always within the first six months of the child’s life. Paternity leave in UAE for private sector employees allows fathers to spend time in the initial days of baby bonding. This does not include other usual or routine rest on weekends.

Male employees in the public sector are entitled to three days of fully paid leave. Paternity leave in UAE for public sector workers currently offers fewer days than the private sector.

Key Points:

• Private Sector: Five days of paid leave within six months of birth.
• Public Sector: Three days of fully paid leave.
• Weekends: These are not counted as part of parental leave in either sector.

Benefits of Paternity Leave in UAE

Here are the key benefits of paternity leave.

Key Benefits:

• Financial Stability: Fathers receive full pay during their paternity leave.
• No Salary Deductions: Employers cannot deduct from salaries during paternity leave.
• Equal Leave for Multiple Births: The law applies equally regardless of the number of births.
• Improved Work-Life Balance: Fathers can spend quality time with their newborns.

Applying for Paternity Leave in United Arab Emirates: Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for paternity leave in UAE, an employee has to follow specific procedures.

Steps to Apply:

• Notify Employer: Inform two or three days before the expected birth.
• Create a Leave Plan: Detail tasks and deadlines for the covering person.
• Inform Colleagues: Ensure colleagues are aware of your leave dates.
• Post-Leave: Return and ensure work continuity.

Create a detailed leave plan for the person covering your duties. This plan should include essential tasks and deadlines. Inform your colleagues about your upcoming leave to ensure smooth workflow continuation.

Best Practices for Employers

In this regard, employers need to effectively and professionally disclose their official paternity leave policy in the UAE to all workers. This will also help employees understand the periods and procedures for gaining leave. There is merit in ensuring all these policies are captured in an employee handbook.

Employers should encourage fathers to plan their leave. Creating a leave plan helps cover work responsibilities during their absence. This planning minimizes disruptions and maintains productivity.

Employers are encouraged to extend the paternity leave period if the employee requests. Although the law mandates five days, additional leave can provide significant benefits. Extending leave periods allows fathers more time to bond with their newborns and support their partners. This extension can positively impact family dynamics and overall well-being.

Leading Companies Offering Extended Paternity Leave

• Baker McKenzie: Offers up to six weeks (42 days) of fully paid paternity leave.
• Chalhoub Group: Provides up to 30 calendar days of paternity leave.
• S&P Global: Grants 26 weeks of paid parental leave globally.
• Microsoft: Offers six weeks of paid leave for new fathers, including adoptive parents.

Providing additional support to employees taking paternity leave is beneficial. Offering work-from-home arrangements or flexible schedules can help fathers transition back to work smoothly. This demonstrates the employer’s commitment to family welfare and employee satisfaction.

Encouraging open communication about parental leave helps normalize the practice. Promoting a culture that supports parental leave benefits the entire organization. This culture shift can lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention.

Challenges and Limitations

Fathers face several challenges when taking paternity leave in UAE. Workplace pressure and fear of career impact are common concerns, and some employers may be hesitant to approve the leave promptly.

Cultural and societal perceptions play a significant role in these challenges. Traditional views on gender roles can discourage fathers from taking leave. This societal pressure often impacts fathers’ decisions regarding paternity leave.

Five days may not be sufficient for adequate family bonding. Additionally, some fathers may face financial constraints despite paid leave due to indirect costs.

Conclusion

The general propensity of gender and family provisions in the UAE will benefit from the provision of paternity leave in UAE. The new measures reinstate the abilities of men to attend to babies and their spouses. Some of the activities that have been recommended include encouraging work-life balance and enhancing the conditions of work for employees.

Clear communication of paternity leave policies is essential for smooth application and utilization. Flexibility in extending leave and providing additional support can benefit both employees and employers.

Key Takeaways:

• Promotes Gender Equality: Encourages fathers’ involvement in early child-rearing.
• Work-Life Balance: Helps families manage responsibilities better.
• Employer Support: Clear policies and additional support enhance compliance.
• Inclusive Environment: Fosters a more supportive workplace culture.

The implementation of paternity leave in the United Arab Emirates bears evidence of the company’s adherence to a successful future concept of family care. This policy is markedly advantageous to employees’ and their families’ well-being. It must be adhered to so that the needed equilibrium for both the organization and the employees may be achieved.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Many Days of Paternity Leave is Allowed For Private Sector Employees in UAE?

Male employees in the private sector are allowed up to five paid days for paternity leave, while in the public sector, the number is three days.

2. Are Weekends Included in Paternity Leaves?

Regular weekends are not counted as part of the private sector employees’ paternity leave. Fathers receive a full five working days off.

3. What Steps Do Employers Need to Take to Approve Paternity Leave?

Employees should notify their employers two or three days before the baby is due. They must provide a clear leave plan and inform their colleagues about their absence dates. Employers should also ensure that the employee’s work is covered and that they return smoothly to their duties.

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