Last updated: May 2026 | Sources: UAE MOHRE, ICP, Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
Quick Summary
- You are entitled to 90 days sick leave per year after completing your probation period.
- First 15 days: full pay. Next 30 days: half pay. Remaining 45 days: no pay.
- Your employer cannot terminate you during the first 45 days of sick leave.
- If your employer deducts more than allowed, file a complaint at 800-60 (MOHRE).
Who this guide is for
UAE private-sector workers who are sick, recovering, or returning from medical leave — particularly construction, hospitality, retail, healthcare support, and office workers worried about salary deductions or termination during illness.
Why this guide exists
Articles 31–32 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 set out 90 days of sick leave per year on a tiered pay basis, plus protection from termination during the paid portion. But many workers do not know the 24-hour notification rule, the medical-certificate requirement, or how MOHRE handles complaints when the rule is broken. This guide walks through the numbers and the practical steps in the order they actually happen.
If you are sick and worried about your salary, you need to know the UAE sick leave rules. The UAE sick leave rules give every worker clear protections — your employer cannot simply stop paying you or fire you for being ill. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 sets out these UAE sick leave rules in detail, and knowing them can protect your income.
UAE Sick Leave Entitlement Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021
According to Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regulating Labour Relations, Article 31, every worker who has completed their probation period is entitled to sick leave as follows:
| Period | Days | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| First period | 15 days | Full pay |
| Second period | 30 days | Half pay |
| Third period | 45 days | No pay |
Total: up to 90 days per year. These days do not have to be consecutive — they can be spread across the year.
Conditions to Claim Sick Leave
To use your UAE sick leave rights, you must:
- Complete your probation period. Sick leave rights begin after probation ends.
- Notify your employer as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours of falling ill.
- Submit a medical certificate from a licensed doctor or hospital. Without a certificate, your employer can treat the absence as unpaid leave.
Documents to Prepare When Taking Sick Leave
| Document | Why You Need It | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Medical certificate (Arabic or English) | Required under Article 31; without it the absence becomes unpaid | DHA / MOH / SEHA licensed clinic or hospital |
| Notification message to manager (WhatsApp or email) | Proves you reported the illness within 24 hours as the law expects | Your phone — save the sent timestamp |
| Employment contract | Confirms basic salary used for half-pay calculation; flags any extra contractual cover | Your file, HR portal, or MOHRE contract record |
| Salary slips (last 3 months) | Evidence of the basic-pay figure if a MOHRE wage dispute follows | WPS app, HR portal, or printed copies |
| Pharmacy receipts and follow-up appointment cards | Supports the genuineness of the illness if the employer challenges | The clinic, hospital, or pharmacy |
| Emirates ID + passport copy | Standard documents for any MOHRE complaint or appeal | Always with you |
Can Your Employer Terminate You During Sick Leave?
This is the most important UAE sick leave rule that many workers do not know. Under Article 31, your employer cannot terminate your contract for reasons connected to your illness during the first 45 days of sick leave (the paid portion).
After the 90 days of sick leave are exhausted, if you are still unable to return to work, your employer may end your contract — but they must still pay your full end of service gratuity. Read our full guide on UAE end of service gratuity to understand what you are owed.
Can Your Employer Deduct Annual Leave Instead of Sick Leave?
No. Your employer cannot force you to use your annual leave during a certified illness. UAE sick leave rules and annual leave are separate entitlements. If your employer tries to replace sick days with annual leave days without your agreement, that is a violation you can report to MOHRE.
What If Your Employer Refuses to Pay or Threatens You?
- Keep all medical certificates with stamps from the doctor or hospital.
- Send written notice to your employer (WhatsApp or email is acceptable as evidence).
- File a complaint with MOHRE at mohre.gov.ae or call 800-60. The process is free and confidential.
- If your employer threatened or terminated you during sick leave, this is also covered under the complaint process. See our guide on UAE unpaid salary claims for how the MOHRE complaint process works.
What Usually Happens Next
- You notify your manager (WhatsApp or email) on the first sick day and follow up with a medical certificate within 48 hours.
- HR records the absence and updates payroll. The first 15 days are processed at full pay automatically.
- If the illness continues, HR moves you to half pay for the next 30 days. Your payslip should clearly show the reduced amount.
- Beyond 45 paid days, you may remain on unpaid sick leave up to a combined 90 days per year. Your employer cannot terminate during the paid 45-day window.
- When you return to work, request a fitness-to-resume note from the same clinic so any future medical follow-up has a continuous record.
- If pay does not match the formula or you face termination during paid sick leave, file a MOHRE complaint on 800-60 within 30 days for the strongest position.
Sick Leave During Probation
If you fall sick during your probation period, the 90-day sick leave entitlement under Article 31 does not yet apply. However, you are still protected from immediate termination without notice. Your employer should treat the absence reasonably and in line with your contract terms. Always check your employment contract for any sick leave provisions that apply during probation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the medical certificate because you only feel mildly ill — Without a certificate the day counts as unpaid leave, even if you actually had an illness.
- Notifying only verbally over the phone — Disputes are decided on written evidence — WhatsApp or email is the minimum the employer cannot deny later.
- Letting the employer convert sick days to annual leave to keep full pay — It hides the violation. Annual leave and sick leave are statutory separate entitlements under the Labour Law.
- Returning to work too early to avoid the half-pay tier — A relapse can extend total sick days and create gaps in documentation. Follow the doctor’s note.
- Throwing away medical certificates and pharmacy receipts after recovery — If a wage dispute or termination dispute starts months later, these are the documents MOHRE will ask for.
- Accepting termination while still inside the paid 45-day window — It is a direct violation of Article 31. File at MOHRE 800-60 — compensation and full final settlement are usually awarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer ask me to work from home during sick leave?
If you are medically certified as unfit for work, you are not obligated to work from home during sick leave. Your medical certificate covers your full absence. However, for minor illnesses, some workers and employers agree informally — this is your choice, not a requirement.
What if I get sick more than once in a year?
The 90-day entitlement is per year. All sick days taken in a calendar year count toward the total. If you use 15 days in January and fall ill again in July, the remaining entitlement carries on from where it left off.
Does sick leave count toward my end of service gratuity?
Yes. Paid sick leave days (the first 45 days) count as part of your service period for gratuity calculation. Unpaid sick leave days (the remaining 45 days) may not count depending on your contract and how your employer calculates service.
Can my employer deduct salary for sick leave I took before submitting the medical certificate?
If you submitted the certificate late but the illness was genuine and documented, most MOHRE mediators will side with the employee. Always submit your certificate as early as possible. If deductions were made and you have a valid certificate, file a complaint at MOHRE 800-60.
I was terminated while on sick leave. What do I do?
If you were terminated during the first 45 days of certified sick leave, this is likely a violation of Article 31. File a complaint immediately at mohre.gov.ae or call 800-60. You may be entitled to compensation plus your full final settlement including gratuity and unpaid salary.
Official Sources Used in This Guide
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This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules can change. Always confirm with MOHRE or a qualified legal professional.