Mohamed Elmasry’s recent contribution to the Gulf News focuses on how to maximise your annual leave without breaking rules.
AS PUBLISHED IN GULF NEWS
Dubai: Scrolling through social media, you have likely stumbled upon hacks for maximising annual leave by aligning it with public holidays. The idea of turning a handful of days into extended breaks is tempting and perfectly legal. But before you start plotting your dream vacation, it is worth noting that this strategy does not always pan out as planned.
Know your leave type: ‘Calendar days’ or ‘working days’?
Before planning, it is essential to understand your company’s leave policy. Check whether your annual leave is calculated in calendar days or working days, as this can significantly impact how effectively you can plan your time off.
“Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employees in the UAE are entitled to 30 days of annual leave per year of service. However, it is crucial to understand how leave is calculated, as this determines whether public holidays are included,” Mohamed Elmasry, an associate at Alsuwaidi & Company, said.
“For calendar days, public holidays falling during your leave period count as part of your annual leave, reducing the total additional days off. For instance, if you take 10 calendar days off that overlap with two public holidays, those holidays are part of the 10 days,” he explained.
While for working days, public holidays are excluded from your leave and added to the total break, effectively extending your time off.
“Under Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, employees in the UAE are entitled to annual leave of 30 days per year of service. It is important to distinguish between how leave is calculated, as this directly impacts the inclusion of public holidays. When annual leave is calculated on a ‘calendar-day’ basis, public holidays that fall within the leave period are treated as part of the annual leave, reducing the total number of additional days off an employee may receive.”
To speak with the author, please contact Mohamed Elmasry on mohamed.elmasry@alsuwaidi.ae
