Sick Leave Pay Calculator
Work out full-pay, half-pay and unpaid sick days under UAE Labour Law, based on what you've already used this year.
Based on Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. The 15/30/45-day tiers apply cumulatively across your leave year, not per illness, and sick pay uses your full wage unless your contract says otherwise. Paid sick leave generally doesn't apply during probation. This is a general calculation, not legal advice for a specific dispute — confirm anything contentious with MOHRE or a legal professional.
UAE sick leave pay tiers at a glance
| Days (cumulative per leave year) | Pay |
|---|---|
| Days 1 – 15 | Full pay |
| Days 16 – 45 | Half pay |
| Days 46 – 90 | Unpaid |
| Beyond 90 days | No statutory entitlement — employer may terminate after due process |
The 90-day entitlement is a total per leave year, whether taken in one stretch or spread across several illnesses. You must notify your employer within 3 working days of falling sick and submit a medical certificate from an authorised healthcare provider — late notification can affect your entitlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many paid sick days am I entitled to in the UAE?
Under Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, private-sector employees get up to 90 days of sick leave per year after completing probation. Pay is tiered: the first 15 days are full pay, the next 30 days are half pay, and the remaining 45 days are unpaid.
Is sick pay based on my basic salary or my full salary?
Sick pay is calculated on your full wage, including allowances, unless your contract states otherwise. This is different from end-of-service gratuity, which is calculated on basic salary only.
Do the sick leave tiers reset with every illness?
No. The 15/30/45 tiers apply cumulatively across your leave year, not per illness. If you've already used 10 days this year at full pay, only 5 full-pay days remain before you move into the half-pay tier — regardless of how many separate illnesses those days covered.
Am I entitled to paid sick leave during my probation period?
Generally no. Paid sick leave under Article 31 applies once probation is complete. During probation, an employer may grant unpaid sick leave at their discretion, typically supported by a medical report.
What happens if I need more than 90 days of sick leave?
If an employee is unable to resume work after exhausting the 90-day entitlement, the employer may legally terminate the contract, subject to due process and any applicable end-of-service payments.
Is this calculator legal advice?
No. It applies the statutory day-based tiers to the numbers you enter. Specific disputes — including whether an illness qualifies, notification timing, or contract clauses — can change the outcome, so confirm anything contentious with MOHRE or a legal professional.
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