UAE Private-Sector Sick Leave: Pay, Notice and Medical Proof
Check UAE private-sector sick-leave pay, the 90-day limit, notification deadline and medical-proof rules after probation.
What the rule means
After probation, a private-sector employee may take up to 90 days of sick leave per year of service: the first 15 days at full pay, the next 30 at half pay and the remaining 45 unpaid. The days can be continuous or intermittent.
What to do next
1. Notify the employer promptly
Tell the employer about the illness within the company channel. UAE Government guidance says notification should be made within a maximum of three days, with a medical report on the condition.
2. Use an accepted medical document
Obtain the certificate or report from an authorised health provider and make sure the dates match the absence. Keep the original digital record and submission proof.
3. Track the paid bands
Ask HR for the sick-leave ledger when an absence crosses a pay band. Count earlier sick leave in the same service year.
4. Handle probation carefully
Paid sick leave does not apply during probation, though an employer may grant unpaid sick leave based on an approved medical report. Get any approval in writing.
Important: A medical certificate supports the absence, but it does not automatically convert every day into paid sick leave beyond the legal bands.
Official source and review note
Dubai Daily Guide reviewed this article on 8 October 2026 against UAE Government — Sick leave ↗. Check the live service before acting because eligibility, documents, fees and processing steps can change.