The UAE labour law offers many protections and rights for working women, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. One of the most important rights of apply for Maternity Leave in the UAE. Hence, one must know how to apply for maternity leave in UAE correctly and legally so that one’s rights are safeguarded while having one’s job preserved.
This guide to maternity leave in UAE enumerates the complete legal process, the documents required, eligibility, and practical tips for women working in the private sector in UAE.
Apply for Maternity Leave in UAE: Key Steps Explained
1. Understand Your Legal Rights First
For starters, one should know what maternity entitlements really exist in the UAE prior to applying for the leave.
- Duration: Female employees shall be entitled to 60 calendar days as maternity leave, 45 days with full pay, and 15 days half with pay (according to the UAE Labour Law, Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021).
- Additional Leave: Leave without pay of 45 days may be granted to the employee after maternity leave if she is sick due to complications from childbirth. The medical certificate must be attached.
- Newborn Care Leave: Separate paid leave of five days is also granted within 6 months of childbirth for the care of the infant.
Explanation: Being aware of what leave you are entitled to and how it is split can not only assist with better planning but can also help reduce some of the confusion with the Human Resource department.
2. Confirm Eligibility Based on Work Duration
The basic criteria for applying for maternity leave in UAE must be fulfilled:
- Have to be a woman employee in the private sector.
- No minimum period of service is now required. This is a big change from prior legislation. This means even a woman on probation is entitled to maternity benefits.
Explanation: By inserting this clause, equal rights are granted for women irrespective of their tenure so that they can enjoy the benefits right from the date of their employment.
3. Submit Written Notice to Employer in Advance
- Timeline: Legally, you must inform your employer at least 30 days before the expected delivery date.
- Format: The letter or email shall be submitted to the Human Resources Department or the person to whom the applicant reports.
- Include:
- Expected date of delivery
- Planned dates of leave (start and end)
- Any optional request for flexible work arrangement after the leave
Explanation: Such clear communication ensures the recording of the request and the helping of the HR whoever may be financing or managing the arrangements.
4. Attach Medical Certificate from a Registered Doctor
A prime requisite for applying for maternity leave in the UAE is a medical certificate confirming her pregnancy and the estimated delivery date.
The certificate is required to be:
- Issued by a licensed hospital or clinic in UAE.
- Signed and stamped by the registered doctor.
- In English or Arabic.
Explanation: A certificate is necessary to legitimize the request for leave, and its date should correspond with that of the application letter.
5. Submit Documents to HR/PRO Department
Once the notice and the medical certificate have been prepared:
- Submit the two to the Human Resource Officer or Public Relations Officer.
- Solicit for a confirmation of acknowledgment in writing or via email.
- Ensure to retain a copy for yourself as well as any confirmation received.
Explanation: In the occurrence of any dispute over the leave, duly Acknowledged evidence in writing can save your rights.
6. Clarify Company Policies on Leave Pay and Allowances
Even though maternity leave has to be a paid leave by law, the company might have a different approach regarding:
- How pay is actually disbursed
- Whether maternity leave can be combined with annual leave
- If sick leave or unpaid leave can be given after maternity leave has ended
Explanation: Knowing such details about your office policies enables you to do some financial planning and to start shaping the timelines on which you may return to work.
7. Plan Your Return and Flexible Working (Optional)
The mothers making a return to work from maternity leave in the UAE may ask for:
- Flexible working hours
- Remote working (if possible)
- Temporary part-time work (with mutual consent)
Explanation: If the mother-to-be intends to continue working while adjusting to the new role she will need to discuss this beforehand.
Apply for Maternity Leave in UAE: What to Avoid
Avoid committing the following common mistakes when you apply for maternity leave in UAE:
1. Giving Last-Minute Notice
Providing very late notice might cause disturbance to the employer and diminish your chances of quickly obtaining approval.
2. Not Providing Complete Documents
Make sure that all details required are there in the medical certificate. This is to make sure they will not reject the application or delay action on your case within HR.
3. Failure to Follow Up
Should you have not received any confirmation within the period of 7 to 10 working days following your submission of documents, you should duly follow up on the matter.
Explanation: This would assist you in protecting your rights against any administrative mistake.
Guide Maternity Leave in UAE: Tips for a Smooth Process
To close this guide of maternity leave in UAE, here are some final tips you may want to use:
1. Use Your Annual Leave Strategically
If you want to extend a little beyond these standard 60 days, just try applying your earned annual leave consecutively.
2. Check Insurance Coverage
Correspond to what the health insurance does and covers under childbirth, hospital stay, and care of the newborn.
3. Understand Job Protection
The employer is not allowed to dismiss a female worker on grounds of pregnancy or maternity leave, as stipulated under the UAE Labour Law.
Explanation: These give you the assurance of safely filing your claim without fear of bias or job rejection.
Apply for Maternity Leave in UAE: Final Thoughts
Knowing how to properly apply for maternity leave in the UAE brings peace of mind and job-theatre during an important time in an individual’s life. Labour law here manifests to support working mothers in granting fair leave, options when returning from work to a flexible schedule, and keeping one’s job.
Whether you have recently joined an organization or you are a senior member, this guide will help you understand all about maternity leave in UAE and ensure that you confidently and legally submit your request. Always verify internally with the HR department of your organization if they have any internal procedures, along with requesting clarification if there is any doubt.
Each step must be done for your application for maternity leave to move forward smoothly so that you can focus on what truly matters: yourself and the baby.
