Everything You Need to Know About Paternity Leave in UAE: Policies and Benefits

Father’s right to have some time off work in UAE; paternal leave is a privilege for fathers. It provides them with working privileges to take care of a newly born child. For instance, an expectant father or any business person needs to know the policies of paternity leave. In this article, we explain all there is to know about paternity leave in UAE. It ranges from the policies to the benefits.

What is Paternity Leave in UAE?

Parental leave in the UAE refers to the leave that fathers get after the birth of their children. It enables fathers to cater to the needs of their partners and even interact with their born babies. In the UAE one gets provision of paternity leave with certain conditions. These conditions in the case of the public sector may also vary from those of the private sector.

Paternity Leave in UAE for Private Sector Employees

In the private sector, more or less employers in the UAE provide paternity leave. However, in this sector, it is shorter than the length of a father’s paid leave in the public sector. Nevertheless, it remains one of the key rights that are all pre-Filipino fathers. Under the UAE Labor Law, the conditions of leave for new fathers working in the private sector are to take three days’ paternity leave. 

One can take this leave immediately after the birth of the child takes place. However, it should be pointed out that even in this case, there is a minimum level of provisions. Some organizations can provide extra days off as a result of their social package.

Paternity Leave in UAE for Government Employees

On paternity leave, government employees are better off in the UAE than their counterparts in the private sector. The fathers of the newborn child, who work in the public sector, receive five days of paid paternity leave. This leave is also for fathers when their wives have given birth either in the UAE or another country. 

Extra days given to government employees reduce the number of days that working mothers can be on maternity leave. Thus, it enables them to provide for their families, especially during the early years of their child’s development. 

What makes Paternity Leave different from Annual Leave?

It is also important to know that paternity leave in UAE is not a type of paid leave among the annual leaves. While using annual leave in UAE as a vacation or leave of absence from work, paternity leave is to celebrate the birth of a new child.

In terms of duration, the diversity is not that different from the UK. This is because the period of annual leave in the UAE depends on the no. of months a particular employee has served and more often than not is much freer. 

Who is Eligible for Paternity Leave in UAE?

Paternity leave in UAE mainly depends on the type of contract. It also depends on the employer-employee relationship whereby organizations can either be in the public or the private sector. In general, any father employed in the UAE is eligible for paternity leave if he has provided services to his employer for not less than six months.

Paternity leave regulation is relevant for every company. However, it is particularly crucial for small businesses and start-ups in the UAE. To cover these areas, the HR departments should make certain they are using the correct procedures. Employers already operating in the area or those establishing new firms and branches in Dubai should consult business setup in Dubai or the business setup consultant in Dubai to understand these rules. Such leave has some advantages for both employers and employees in the UAE.

Benefits of Paternity Leave in the UAE

Support for New Fathers

Paid father’s leave lets men witness their babies’ early days and help their spouses during such time.

Work-Life Balance

By having paternity leave fathers are able to have a better balance in work and heed. It is important for one’s health good of the entire family.

Reduced Stress

Taking time off to care for a newborn is good for stress reduction. So, it is good for both parents, as well as helps the father be a part of the early years of the child.

Stronger Family Dynamics

Men who take paternal leave develop close affectional ties with their children. So, this is advantageous to the whole family.

Providing longer paternity leave to employees is effective for employers. This is because it may help to increase the satisfaction of workers and thus their turnover rate. It shows that the company cares about its staff and this can go a long way in attracting talent to the company.

Paternity Leave in UAE and Family Leave Policies

Apart from paternity leave, the UAE provides both employees and job seekers with virtually all types of family leave. For instance, the maternity leave given to female employees can be from 10 up to 60 fully paid days in the public sector. However, it is 10 up to 45 fully paid days — in the private one. Same for sick leave which is entitled to employees in case they get sick. Still, paternity leave targets the male after the delivery of a baby.

For more off time, the entitled employees who received paternity leave may also be allowed to use either their annual or sick leaves in the course of offering them. Most employers have policies that ensure fathers can consolidate their paid parental leave with their annual leave in a bid to have longer time off work.

How to Apply for Paternity Leave in the UAE

Paternity leave application in the UAE is very straightforward. So, it encourages fathers to exercise their rights. There are requirements for an employee to notify an HR department about the date of birth in advance. The application for such a leave should be given to the employer at least a few days before the expected date of birth. It is usually advisable for the company to establish the credibility of the birth of the child.

In reaction to this employers should develop good policies on paternity leave for the employees. Forcing a policy through will create confusion. It also keeps employees unaware of their rights and responsibilities at the workplace. For starters, the owners should go to business setup consultants in Dubai. This keeps their human resource practices in check for the UAE legal frameworks.

The Impact of Paternity Leave on Business Operations

For employers primarily small startups and SMEs, the choice often comes down to how much paternity leave affects the business. Despite the perception that having to pay for the leave may be an extra cost to a company. This is an opportunity that our employees will appreciate and keep them loyal to the company. 

Surprisingly, many Fortune trading companies all over the world have experienced positive outcomes. This will fix the problem to a greater extent about employee turnover, and in particular for new fathers who are ready to use their advantages.

What Employers Should Know About Paternity Leave in the UAE

Even though the extent of paternity leave has not yet been prescribed by the UAE legislation, employers, especially those who enter the UAE market, or those who invest in the UAE, should be aware of their legal requirements concerning paternity leave. 

If you are planning to start a business in Dubai, Business Setup Experts DMCC or company formation in Dubai will help. They make sure that all policies regarding labor such as paternity leave are properly implemented in your company’s human resource manual. These experts can help you avoid the pitfalls of the UAE regulatory environment to lay down a solid framework for business.

Key Takeaways

• This paper aims to establish that paternity leave is an important policy in the UAE. It enables men to support their newborn children.
• Working men in the private sector are allowed by the law to be on paternity leave for three days while civil servants are allowed for five days’ leave.
• Sick leave and annual leave are different from paternity leave. This is because fathers get annual leave only after the birth of their child.
• Paternity leave laws are complex. They need to be understood by employers and effectively conveyed to employees.
• Paternal leave can enhance the satisfaction and turnover rate of employees. So, companies should consider this as an important factor in attractive employee packages.

Because more and more fathers are taking paternal leave in the UAE, Human Resource departments should remain abreast. For the employee, the employer, and the businessman, it is vital to know the guidelines. Also, understand the advantages of paternity leave in the UAE economy. This is essential to achieve a healthy workforce.

Conclusion

Paternity leave in UAE is a crucial policy. It enables fathers to be with their newborn children and still meet their obligations at the workplace. It means that with clear policies, there will be a great chance for compliance. This makes the working environment better.

If you are planning to start a business in UAE, talk to some business setup consultants in Dubai or business setup experts in Dubai. They help you to get a full picture of the labor laws that you need to adhere to such as paternity leave. Hence, you do not encounter some problems when your company begins to operate in the UAE.